•♦• 


Shaliesjiear! 


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of  the 

University  of  California 


Los  Angeles 


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Form  L-9-15/«ln.'_'5 


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, Shakespeare  (Wiu.iam).  I'lays  of  Mr.  William  Sliakcsi)carc,  as  rewritten 
or  rearranged  by  his  successors  of  the  Restoration  Period.  Being  the  text 
of  these  so-restored  I'lays  with  the  First  Ff)lio  Shakes|)eare  text  with 
Critical  Introductions.  Kdited  by  Ap|)leton  Morgan.  6  vols.  s(iuarc  «vo, 
boards,  cloth  backs,  uncut. 

New  York:  The  Shakespeare  Society  of  New  York,  1908 
The  Bankside-Rkstoration  Shakespeare.  Only  250  Sets  Made.  Comprises, — 
Tempest;  Timon  of  Athena.  Measure  for  Measure;  Anthony  and  Cleopatra;  Hamlet. 
2  vols. 


PR 
2754 

M82 

3halias]ieare    - 

,  V.2 

Southern  Branch 
of  the 

University  of  California 


Los  Angeles 


Form  L  I 


1 


and  Anne,  his  Wile,  l  i-^'TTall,  and'Tairel  His  Wite,  ol  tiie  ( 
and  Thomas  Shakespeare  u.  Lapworth,  County  of  Warwick,  of  i 
Part.  November  25,  1664.  Deed  for  Land  called  "Smith's  Fiel( 
dorsed  on  back,  possibly  in  Thomas  Shakespeare's  autograpl 
Shakspeare.  His  Deed  from  William.  Caldwell  and  Tho  Hall;"  (2)  I 
between  Thomas  Shakespeare  of  Lapworth,  in  the  County  of  War 
Christian  Davey,  Thomas  Brownley,  Thomas  Whadrorke,  an 
Davey.  January  20,  1674.  Signed  in  Autograph  by  the  four  I 
the  Second  Part;  (3)  Indenture,  June  13,  1687— not  of  Shakt 
interest.    Together,  3  pieces,  folio,  all  written  on  parchment. 


This  book  is 

DUE  on  the  last  date  st 

JAN           iy27 

.a 

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OCT    ,          -^0 

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out  29   ld29 

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Korii)  L-9-15//i-10.'25 

-^ 


PLAYS  OF  MR.  WILLIAM  SHAKESPEARE 

AS  RE-WRITTEN  OR  RE-ARRANGED  BY  HIS 
SUCCESSORS  OF  THE  RESTORATION  PERIOD 

As  presented  at  the  Dukes  Theatre  and 
elsewhere  circa  1664- 1669 

Being  the  text  of  these  so-restored  Plays  with 

the     First    Folio    Shakespeare     text 

with   Critical  Introductions 


^be  Bank8ibe==1Restotation  Sbakespeave 

EDITED  BY  APPLETON  MORGAN 


NEW  YORK 

THE  SHAKESPEARE  SOCIETY  OP  NEW  YORK 

THE  SHAKESPEARE  PRESS 

1908 


71  874 


•: 


*?. 


V.J. 
C  C  \) »  'i. 


Of  this  and  of  each  volume  of  THE  BANKSIDE-RES 
TORATION    SERIES,  only  Two  Hundred  and  Fifty  Sets 
are  made,  for  any  purpose  whatever,  and  this  volume  is  a 
number  of  Set.__. .^_Z.. 

President  of  the  New  York 
Shakespeare  Society. 

[A$  a  con$iderable  number  of  subscribers  to  Tlie  New  York  Shakespeare  Society's 
Bankside  Shakespeare  fia/ve  desired  tJiat  their  sets  of  this  Bankside-Restoration 
Series  may  be  numbered  to  correspond  with  their  sets  of  the  Bankside,  these  two 
hundred  and  Hfty  sets  are  arbitrarily  numbered.^ 


^be  36anll0i^e*'1Rc0toration  Sbakespeare 


HAMLET    AND    THE    UR-HAMLET 


( The  Text  of  the  Second  Quarto  of  i6o^^  with  a  conjectural 
Text  of  the  alleged  Kyd  Hamlet  preceding  i() 


With  an  Introduction 


BY 


APPLETON  MORGAN,  A.  M.,  LL.B.  Columbia 

President  of  The  Shakespeare  Society  oj  New   York,  Author  of 
"  The  Shakespearean  Myth,''  ^'Some  Shakespearean 
Covtntentators,'"  "A  Study  in  the  Warwick- 
shire Dialect,''  Editor  of  the  Bank- 
side  Shakespeare,  Etc.,  Etc. 


NEW  YORK 
THE  SHAKESPEARE  vSOCIETY  OF  NEW  YORK 

1908 


?  ^. 


'3'L, 


INTRODUCTION. 

The  purely  objective  student  of  the  textus  receptus  of  Shakespeare's 
HAMLET  can  desire  little  if  anything  more  than  Mr.  Vining  has  presented 
in  his  prefatory  matter  to  that  play  in  the  Bankside  Shakespeare  (Vol.  XI.) 
Mr.  Vining  has  presented  there  (i.)  "The  Saga  of  Amleth ;"  (2.)  its 
first  translation  into  French,  'The  Historye  of  Hamblett,"  (where,  in  a 
sort  of  phonetic  habitude  the  aspirate  is  transposed  from  the  end  to  the 
beginning  of  the  hero's  name)  by  Belleforest — and  Mr.  Vining  adds  (3.) 
Richard  Grant  White's  succinct  statement  of  the  theory,  which  we  have  all 
up  to  this  time  been  forced  to  adopt — namely,  that  the  first  Quarto  was  one 
of  those  "stolen  and  surreptitious"  short-hand  or  memorized  reports  of  the 
second  Quarto  version  as  it  was  pronounced  by  Shakespeare's  actors  from 
Shakespeare's  stage  (of  which  felony,  under  the  pseudonym  "John  Heminge 
and  Henry  Condell,"  the  Editors  of  the  First  Folio  complain). 

To  complete  the  external  sources,  Mr.  Vining  has  translated  from  the 
blackletter  the  curious  old  Plowden  report  of  the  leading  case  of  Hales 
V  Petit,  of  1553,  which  Shakespeare  in  his  fifth  act  travesties  to  carry  the  plot 
over  into  the  situation  required  by  the  tremendous  grave-yard  scene — a 
scene  such  as  no  other  dramatist  ever  attempted,  and  one  that,  in  the  work- 
manship of  any  other  dramatist,  would  have  been  itself  a  travesty!  And, 
when  to  all  this  Mr.  Vining  has  added  his  own  fine  commentary  on  the  other 
circumstantial  items  of  material  for  the  lines  of  the  Play,  there  was  and 
is  little  left  for  the  present  Editor  to  remark  as  to  the  tradgey  as  we  have 
it  to-day  in  our  libraries  and  on  our  English  stage. 

The  difficulties  in  the  way  of  believing  prima  facie  either  that  there 
was,  or  that  there  was  not,  an  English  play  dealing  with  the  Danish  story 
of  Hamlet  prior  to  the  appearance  of  the  First  Quarto  of  Shakespeare's 
Hamlet,  would  seem  to  be  about  equal.  If  there  were,  how  could  it  so 
entirely  have  disappeared,  when  older  contemporary  productions  rea- 
sonably survive?  If  there  were  not,  how  can  we  receive  the  phenomenon  of 
great  Shakespeare's  greatest  play — the  greatest  and  splendidest  of  tragedies 

til 


viii  Introduction 

— as  a  contemporary  production  with  the  Two  Gentlemen  of  Verona,  Comedy 
of  Errors,  and  Titus  Andronicus?  Why  does  Meres  record  that  Shakes- 
peare— worthy,  he  notes,  to  be  called  the  English  Seneca — wrote  these 
three,  but  make  no  mention  of  Hamlet,  when  Nash  in  the  same  year, 
speakes  of  a  Hamlet  written  by  an  English  Seneca  who  could  be  "read  by 
candle-light" — a  sort  of  euphuistic  statement,  meaning  possibly  that  he  was 
to  be  seen,  not  in  a  book,  but  on  a  stage  in  a  house  lighted  with  candles? 
and  why  do  two  other  accredited  authorities  speak  of  a  play  called  Ham- 
let, which  had  been  played  on  a  public  stage  prior  to  1603?  That  is  to 
say :  Meres  mentions  a  Shakespeare  without  a  Hamlet,  and  Nash  a  Hamlet 
without  a  Shakespeare :  although  perhaps  it  was  not  quite  as  impossible 
then  as  now  to  separate  master  and  masterpiece,  or  to  pronounce  the  name 
of  either  without  the  other,  when  treating  of  EngHsh  dramatic  literature. 

And  again,  upon  examination  of  the  literature  concurrent  with  the 
stage  career  of  the  Play  itself,  we  are  startled  by  some  very  curious  test- 
imony. Lodge's  Wits  Miserie  (1596-p.  56)  contains  this  allusion:  "And 
though  this  fiend  be  begotten  of  his  father's  own  blood,  yet  is  he  different 
from  his  nature,  and  were  he  not  sure  that  jealousie  could  not  make  him 
a  cuckold,  he  had  long  since  published  him  for  a  bastard;  you  shall  know 
him  by  this,  he  is  a  foule  lubber,  his  tongue  tipt  with  lying,  his  heart  steeled 
against  charity;  he  walks  for  the  most  part  in  black  under  colour  of  gravity 
and  looks  as  pale  as  the  visard  of  the  ghost  which  cried  so  miserably  at  the 
Theatre  like  an  oister  wife,  Hamlet  revenge."  (Dekkar's  Satiro — mastix, 
1602)  "Asina.  Wod  I  were  hang'd,  if  I  can  call  you  any  names  but  Captaine 
and  Tucca.  Tuc  No,  fye'st,  my  name's  Hamlet,  revenge:  Thou  hast  been 
at  Parris  Garden,  hast  not  ?  Hor.  Yes,  Captaine,  I  ha  plaide  Zulziman  there. 
(Westward  Hoe,  1607,)  "I  but  when  light  wives  make  heavy  husbands, 
let  these  husbands  play  mad  Hamlet,  and  crie  'revenge.' "  (Dedication 
to  Scoloker's  Daiphantis,  or  The  Passion  of  love,  1604)  Like  the  never-too- 
well  read  Arcadia,  where  the  prose  and  verse  (matter  and  words)  are  like 
his  mistresses'  eyes,  one  still  excelling  another  and  without  corrivall;  or  to 
come  home  to  the  vulgars  element,  like  friendly  Shake-speare's  tragedies, 
where  the  commedian  rides,  when  the  tragedian  stands  on  tiptoe:  Faith  it 
should  please  all,  like  prince  Hamlet.  But  in  sadness,  then  it  were  to  be  feared 
he  would  runne  mad.  In  sooth  I  will  not  be  moonesicke,  to  please ;  nor 
out  of  my  wits  though  I  displeased  all."  In  the  body  of  this  same  work 
are  the  following  verses: 


Introduction  ix 

His  breath  he  thinkes  the  smoke ;  his  tongue  a  cole, 

Then   calls    for    bottell    ale    to   quench    his    thirst, 
Runs  to  his  Inke-pot,  drinkes,  then  stops  the  hole, 
And  thus  growes  madder  than  he  was  at  first. 
Tasso  he  finds,  by  that  of  Hamlet,  thinkes, 
Tearmes  him  a  mad-man;  than  of  his  inkhorne  drinks, 
Calls  players  fooles,  the  foole  he  judgeth  wisest, 

Will  learne  them  action,  out  of  Chaucer's  Pander; 
Proves  of  their  poets  hawdes  even  in  the  highest, 
Then  drinkes  a  health,  and  swears  it  is  no  slander. 
Puts  off  his  cloathes ;  his  shirt  he  onely  wears. 
Much  like  mad-Hamlet ;  thus  as  passion  teares. 
(Arnim's    "A    nest    of    Ninnies,"    1608)      "His    father's    Empire    and 
Government   was   but   as   the   Poetical   Furie   in   a    Stage-action,   compleat, 
yet  with  horrid  and  wofull  Tragedies :  a  first,  but  no  second  to  any  Hamlet ; 
and  that  now  Reuenge,  iust  Reuenge,  was  coming  with  his  Sworde  drawne 
against  him,  his  royall   Mother,  and  dearest  Sister,  to  fill  vp  those  Mur- 
dering  Sceanes."      (Sir   Thomas    Smithes   Voiage   and    Entertainment   in 
Rushia.  1605.)     "Sometimes  would  he  overtake  him  and  lay  hands  uppon 
him  like  a  catch-pole,  as  if  he  had  arrested  him,  but  furious  Hamlet  woulde 
presently  eyther  breake  loose  like  a  beare  from  the  stake,  or  else  so  set 
his  pawes  on  this  dog  that  thus  bayted  him  that,  with  tugging  and  tearing 
one   anothers    frockes   off.   they   both    looked   like   mad    Tom   of   Bedlam." 
(Decker's  Dead  Terme,  1608.)     "If  any  passenger  come  by  and,  wondring 
to  see  such  a  conjuring  circle  kept  by  hel-houndes,  demaund  what  spirits 
they  raise  there,  one  of  the  murderers  steps  to  him,  poysons  him  with  sweete 
wordes  and  shifts  him  off  with  this  lye,  that  one  of  the  women  is  falne  in 
labour ;  but  if  any  mad   Hamlet,  hearing  this,   smell  villanie  and  rush   in 
by  violence  to  see  what  the  tawny  divels  are  doing,  then  they  excuse  the 
fact,  lay  the  blaine  on  those  that  are  the  actors,  and  perhaps,  if  they  see 
no  remedie,  deliver  them  to  an  officer  to  be  had  to  punichmcnt."    (Decker's 
Lanthorne  and  Candle-light  or  the  Ecll-man's  second  Nights-Walke,  1609.) 
"A  chamberlaine   is   as   nimble  as   Hamlet's  ghost,   heere  and   everywhere, 
and  when   he  has  many  guests,  stands  most   upon  his  pantoflcs,  for  hcc's 
then  a  man  of  some  calling."    In  Rowland's  Night  Raven,  1620,  a  scrivener, 
who  has  his  cloak  and  hat  stolen  from  him,  exclaims  :  "I  will  not  cry,  'Ham- 
let, revenge  my  greeves.'  " 


X  Introduction 

(Eastward  Ho,  1605.)  "Sfoote,  Hamlet,  are  you  madde?  Whether 
run  you  nowe?  You  should  brushe  up  my  olde  mistresse."  And  m  Clarke's 
Paroemiologia  Angelo  Latina,  or  Proverbs  in  English  and  Latin,  1639, 
is  the  curious  expression  "a  trout,  Hamlet  with  four  legs,"  (which  might 
perhaps  suggest  "very  like  a  whale.") 

Herein  surely  are  described  some  other  Hamlet  than  the  one  we  possess 
in  the  Second  (or  even  the  First)  Quarto — in  the  First  Folio,  and  in  the 
thousands  of  editions  following  them  even  unto  this  day!  For  neither  in  the 
First  nor  the  Second  Quarto  versions  of  the  Play  does  Prince  Hamlet  run 
about  crying  "revenge"  nor  tear  ofif  other  people's  frocks,  nor  smell  villainy, 
nor  rush  hither  and  yon  to  see  what  the  tawny  devils  are  doing,  or  any- 
thing of  the  like  tumultuous  performance.  The  student  is,  therefore,  forced 
to  assume  some  sort  of  an  evolution  of  the  Play  which  had  considerably 
advanced  when  Shakespeare  found  it,  and  of  which  he  used  as  little  as  pos- 
sible in  his  own  splendid  Drama —  how  little  I  am  sure  the  conjectural 
text  here  presented  will  suggest,  even  if  the  criticism  upon  this  attempt  to 
suggest  it  does  not  deserve —  as  this  Editor  is  eager  to  confess  that  it  does 
not — any  attention  at  all  as  an  imitation  of  the  language  in  which  Kyd 
(or  whoever  it  was  who  might  have  written  this  Ur  Hamlet,  as  German 
scholars  have  taught  us  to  conveniently  call  the  earliest  Hamlet),  would 
have  clothed  his  lines;  (though,  even  in  the  colloquial  diction  which  is 
all  that  is  here  attempted,  it  compares  passably  with  the  diction  of  "The 
Famous  Victories,"  apparently  staged  in  about  the  required  dates).  The 
conventional  story  of  the  seduction  by  a  Prince  of  the  blood  of  one  of 
his  Queen-mother's  maids  of  honour  and  of  her  madness  on  being  discarded 
by  her  seducer,  who  heartlessly  tells  her  to  become  the  inmate  of  a  bagnio — 
the  slang  name  for  which  was  "a  nunnery" — is  apparently  all  the  con- 
cession to  a  "contemporaneous  human  interest"  that  the  English  play- 
wright made  to  lighten  the  main  action  of  a  Prince  feigning  insanity  to 
avenge  the  murder  of  a  King,  his  father,  by  his  brother;  who  by  marrying 
the  widow  of  the  murdered  King  becomes  King  consort  and  intrigues  to 
be  accepted,  and  finally  is  accepted  as  King  de  facto  and  de  jure — "popped 
in  between  th'  election  and  my  hopes" — that  is,  except  a  localism  or  two 
to  be  noted  later. 

Thirty  years  ago,  in  my  "Shakespearean  Myth,"  I  suggested  that  a 
good  many  problems  in  Shakespeare  study  might  clarify  if  we  came  to 
understand  that  Shakespeare,  as  we  possess  him  to-day,  was  not  the  same 


Introduction  xi 

as  played  in  those  Elizabethan  and  Jacobean  theatres,  so  awfully  described 
by  Northcote,  Stubbes  and  all  the  other  stage  historians ;  that  the  two  hours 
traffic  of  our  stage  alone  would  have  practically  precluded  even  the  most 
rapid  reading  of  any  of  the  great  plays,  even  with  omission  of  the  hundreds 
of  lines  discarded  in  the  Second  Quarto;  notably  the  play  we  are  now  con- 
sidering.    I  then  suggested  that  it  was  the  action  only  of  these  dramatic 
pieces   that   was   then   and   there   preformed.      Why,    I   then   asked    (First 
Edition,  page  272),  should  a  thrifty  manager  have  ransacked  Greek  and 
Latin  and  Italian  literature,  the  Romantics  and  the  Sagas,  or  the  cloisters 
of  England,  or  the  black  letter  law  reports  of  sixty  years  before  for  travesty 
of  the  forgotten  case  of  Hales  v.  Petitt,  to  elaborate  by  excursus  after  ex- 
cursus lines  to  present  to  audiences  that  wanted  only  dumb-show  and  noise 
and  the  tumbles  of  a  clown  for  their  ha'pennies?     And  if  I  stated  then, 
I  wish  to  restate  it  now  with  the  added  emphasis  of  thirty  years — that  I 
not  only  do  not  believe  myself — but  do  not  believe  that  any  entirely  sane 
person  actually   believes,   that  boy   actors   spouted  the  lines  now   assigned 
to  Ophelia,  Juliet,  Portia,  Imogen,  or  to  any  of  those  great  women  parts, 
as  we  have  them  in  our  libraries  and  on  our  stage  to-day !     I  am  willing 
to  believe  that  English  boys  of  three  hundred  years  ago  were  immensely 
the  intellectual   superiors   of   our  twentieth   century   youth — but  even  then 
I  do  not  believe  it.     The  object,  therefore,  of  the  present  Edition  is  to 
somehow  account  for  what  dumb  show  and  noise  or  passion  torn  to  tatters 
came  under  the  name  of  "Hamlet"  upon  the  London  stage,  sa^  at  Paris 
Gardens  alternately,  or  perhaps  simultaneously  with  the  bearbaitingsatthose 
elegant   establishments.     Has   a   single   commentator  in  all   these  centuries 
told  us  how  the  Shakespeare  plays,  as  read  in  the  First  Folio,  could  have 
been  staged  at  all  and  escape  the  Lord  Chamberlin  and  the  Censors  of  a 
Queen,  who,  on  her  accession  to  the  throne  commanded  that  no  plays  should 
be  performed  "in  which  matters  of  religion  or  of  the  State"  were  "handled 
or  treated"  and  who  allowed  no  relaxation  of  that   policy  to  the  end  of 
her  reign  ?     Thomas  Kyd  being  a  son  of  a  scrivener  had  been  born,  so  to 
speak,  "to  the  trade  of  Noverint"  (i.  e.  the  engrossing  of  conveyances  begin- 
ing  Nosce  omnes  homines  cum  sui  praesentes)   and  had  "left  that  trade" 
to  be  a  playwright.     His   "Spanish  Tragedy,  or  the   Pitiful  Death  of  old 
Hieronimo"   had   an   inner   play,   whose   action   was   the   pantomine   of  a 
murder     in     a     garden     preformed     to     assist     in     ferreting     out     the 
miirrlcrcr     suspected     to     be     amongst     the     spectators.       But     to     most 


xii  Inirodnction 

criticism,  the  use  of  the  inner  play  in  one  Stage  piece  would  preclude 
its  identical  use  in  another  by  the  same  playmaker.  But  then  how  about 
Nashe's  "whole  Hamlets"?  Guessing  is  simplicity  itself.  Why  not  a  guess 
that  the  similar  use  of  the  inner  play  in  Hamlet  suggested  Shakespeare; 
and  that  the  pun  on  "Hamlet"  and  "handfuls"  a  covert,  transparent  apol- 
ogy for  alluding  to  so  important  a  man  as  Shakespeare  ? 

The  solitary  morsel  of  evidence  upon  which  all  this  hypothesis  hangs  is 
the  single  entry  in  Henslowe's  Diary  as  edited  by  Collier  (and  most  un- 
fortunately the  name  of  the  Editor  diminishes  its  authority)  to  wit : 

9  of  June  1594  Rd  at  hamlet viij  s 

this  entry  being  in  a  column  headed  "In  the  name  of  God  Amen  be- 
ginninge  at  Newington  my  Lord  Admiralle  and  my  Lorde  Chamberlen 
men  as  followeth  1594." 

And  if,  in  this  Edition,  we  are  enabled  to  speculate  and  to  arrive  at  a 
concept  of  what  this  primitive  or  Ur-Hamlet  actually  was,  by  way  of  a 
considerably  earlier  Germany  than  the  Germany  whose  scholars  have 
sent  us  so  much  splendid  commentary  upon  Shakespeare's  Mlasterpiece, 
it  will  be  yet  one  more  obligation  of  English  speaking  students  of  Hamlet 
to  German  sources. 

We  find  that  it  was  the  custom  of  London  players,  during  the  summer 
months  or  when  at  any  other  times  the  theatres  were  closed  for  sanitary 
reasons  or  by  the  authorities  under  Puritan  influence,  to  proceed  to  the 
Low  countries  which  was  the  easiest  way  to  reach  the  Continent.  Then 
the  route  they  actually  took  was  to  embark  at  Hull  and  to  sail  to  the 
Danish  port  Elsinore,  the  Helsignor  of  to-day.  This  voyage  would  con- 
sume one  week.  The  Company  would  then  get  permission  from  the  athor- 
ities  that  were,  to  give  performances  to  pay  their  passage  money  and  then 
would  proceed  to  such  places  as  they  desired  to  visit  on  foot  or  horse- 
back and  then  by  land  they  would  pass  into  Germany,  and  so  on,  until 
their  vacations  ended  and,  the  London  theatres  open  again,  they  would 
retrace  their  steps.  Thus  is  accounted  sufficiently  the  mention  of  Elsinore 
in  Hamlet.  Here  at  Elsinore  is  a  famous  castle  named  Kronborg,  a 
fortress  built  in  1552  to  command  the  Kattegat.  When,  as  it  was  often, 
occupied  by  the  Danish  Court  in  summer,  the  adjoining  town  of  Elsinore 
was  naturally  the  nearest  and  an  altogether  ideal  place  for  these  Eng- 
lish  actors   to  set   up   their   stage.     There   was   recently   discovered  in  the 


Introduction  xiii 

Royal  Archives  at  Copenhagen,  the  "Monnetz  Besoklung  ug  Kostspendinge," 
(monthly  payroll  and  board  account)  of  the  town  of  Elsinore  for  January 
22nd.  1585,  to  January  22nd,  1587.  In  this  is  an  entry  in  the  year  1585 
of  a  disbursement  of  four  skilling  to  repair  a  board  fence  between  the 
premises  of  Lauritz,  the  town  clerk  and  the  yard  of  the  Town  Hall, "which 
the  people  broke  down  at  the  time  the  English  played  in  the  Yard."  And 
again,  in  1586.  is  an  entry  of  which  Mr.  Jacob  A  Riis  sends  me  this  trans- 
lation : 

XXXVI  daler  Wilhemj  Kempe,  instrumentalist,  got  two  month's  board 
for  himself  and  a  boy  named  Daniel  Jones.     He  had  earned  pay  from  June 
17th,  when  he  took  service.     In  addition,  a  month's  pay  was  given  him  as 
a  parting  gift.     In  all  three  months  at  twelve  daler  (dollars)  a  month. 
Thomas  Stephens  These  five  instrumentalists  and  mummers  enter- 

George  Bryan  ed  the  service  on  June  17th  and  from  that  time 

Thomas  King    '  to   the   end   of   this,   the   eighth   month — which 

Thomas  Pope  is  the  i8th  of  September,  making  three  months 

Robert  Percy  and  three  months  at  six  daler  each  per  month, 

the  amount  of  8  1-2  dalers  3  skilling  each;  to- 
gether 92  daler  15  skilling  for  which  Thomas 
Stephens  has  given  his  receipt." 
Wilhemj  Kempe  is  William  Kempe.  George  Bryan  and  Thomas  Pope 
are  named  in  the  First  Folio  in  the  "List  of  the  Names  of  the  Principal  Actors 
in  all  these  Plays."  So  the  question  why  Hamlet-Amleth,  who  was  of  Jut- 
land, was  removed  to  Elsinore,  seems  answered ;  and  these  actors  seem  to 
have  pretty  accurately  described  the  fortress  of  Kronborg  to  Shakespeare 
(who  never  seems  to  have  travelled  abroad  with  his  company),  for  views  given 
in  a  series  of  twelve  photographs  of  that  castle,  reproduced  in  New  Shakes- 
peareana  (Vol.  HI,  page  89),  appear  to  correspond  with  astonishing 
accuracy  to  scenes  in  Shakespeare's  Play.  That  Shakespeare  never  went 
to  the  Continent  on  these  professional  tours  so  far  appears  probable.  Mr. 
Alexander  Cargill  of  Edinburgh  sends  to  New  Shakespeareana  (Vol.V. 
page  25)  a  valuable  communication  reciting  extracts  from  the  town  records 
of  Edinburgh,  Aberdeen  and  Perth,  recording  visits  of  English  actors  and 
others  connected  with  theatrical  matters,  some  of  whom  were  presented  with 
the  Freedom  of  those  towns.  But  nowhere  can  the  name  of  William  Shakes- 
peare be  found.  Fnrtlier  records  may  at  any  time  be  discovered,  since  the 
triumphs  of  TVofcssor  Charles  W.  Wallace  and  Sir  Henry  Maxwcll-Lyte, 


xiv  Introduction 

within  a  single  year,  in  unearthing  Shakespeare  entries,  warn  us  not  to  re- 
gard anything  as  impossible.  But  so  far  as  the  researches  of  these,  and  the 
like,  fastidious  scholars  have  gone,  William  Shakespeare  himself  spent  his 
vacations  in  England,  though,  like  Hamlet,  himself,  he  may  have  enquired 
of  his  players.  How  comes  it  that  you  travel? 

When,  therefore,  we  trace  in  the  Play  before  us  all  this  Danish  refer- 
ence and  Danish  chronicle,  some  light  does  darkly  break  upon  some  of  the 
methods  by  which  Shakespeare's  plays  contained  their  versimilitude  to  such 
manifold  detail  and  of  contemporary  Europe.  Let  us  pause  here  to  note  some 
further  Danish  material  in  Hamlet. 

Saxo  places  the  scene  of  his  Saga  of  Amleth  in  Jutland:  Belleforest, 
translating  it  into  his  Hystorie  of  Hamblett,  says  that  the  Danes  "all  with  one 
consent  proclaimed  Hamblett  king  of  Jutie  and  Chersonnesse,  at  this  pre- 
sent the  proper  country  of  Denmarke."  But  the  local  color  portrayed  by 
his  actors  induced  Shakespeare,  it  seems,  to  select  Elsinore.  For  to  Shakes- 
peare's idea  of  vraissemblance.  Prince  Hamlet  must  be  at  a  Danish  Court, 
and  there  was  no  Danish  Court  in  Jutland.  No  detail  escapes  him.  Even 
the  selection  of  Wittemberg  for  Hamlet's  university  tuition,  is  exact.  Wit- 
temberg  was  a  Lutheran  univeristy  and  the  Danish  Court  was  Lutheran. 
Even  the  "custom  more  honored  in  the  breach  than  in  the  observance"  can 
be  accounted  for.  In  a  notebook  kept  by  "Master  William  Segar,  Garter 
King  at  Arms,"  who  journeyed  to  Denmark  in  1603  (the  date  of  the  First 
Quarto),  is  the  entry  of  June  14th:  "This  afternoon  the  King  (of  Denmark) 
went  aboard  the  English  ship  which  was  lying  oflf  Elsinore,  and  had  a  blanket 
prepared  for  him  upon  the  upper  decks  which  were  hung  with  awning  of 
cloathes  of  Tissue,  every  health  reported  sixe,  eight  or  ten  ordinance,  so 

that  during  the  King's  abode  the  ship  discharged  160  shot It 

were  superfluous  to  tell  you  of  all  the  superfluities  that  were  vsed,  and  it 
would  make  a  man  sick  to  heare  of  the  drunken  healths.  Vse  has  brought  it 
into  fashion,  and  fashion  made  it  a  habit  which  ill  beseems  out  nation  to  im- 
itate." And  similarly,  Rosecranz  (Rosencraft  in  the  First  Quarto)  and 
Gildensterne  (Gilderstone  (Id)  and  otherwise  in  further  quartos,  Guylden- 
sterne  is  the  Danish  Gyldenstierne — ^just  as  in  lax  transcription — which  is  of 
small  assistance,  or  hindrance  either  in  tracing  our  sources — Geruthe  of  the 
Saga  becomes  Gertrude  in  the  first,  and  Gertrad  in  the  second,  Quarto.  Mr. 
Stevens,  in  his  edition  of  1793 — was  the  first  we  found  to  have  suggested 
that  Rosencrantz  was  a  real  personage.  He  calls  him  "an  ambassador."  But 


Introduction  xv 

it  seems  that  both  Rosencranz  and  the  Guildensterne  were  actual  persons 
living  at  the  date  to  which  we  must  now  hark  back  the  story  of  Hamlet,  as 
portrayed  in  the  Ur-Hamlet,  at  least. 

On  page  191  of  Shakespeareana  Volume  VIII  ( — at  that  date  under 
editorial  conduct  of  The  New  York  Shakespeare  Society,  there  was  quoted 
a  communication  from  the  late  Dr.  Leo,  President  of  the  German  Shakes- 
peare Gesellschaft  announcing  to  that  Society  his  discover}^  in  the  Royal  Li- 
brary at  Stuttgart,  of  a  memoranda  kept  in  the  year  1577,  by  the  Duke 
Frederich  I  of  Wittemberg  of  the  names  of  persons  he  met  on  his  travels 
in  the  North  in  that  year.    One  of  the  entries  was  this : 

1577  In  utraque  fortuna  ipsius  fortuna  esto  memor  Jorgen  Rosen- 
crantz. 

1577  Feredum  et  sperandum  P  Guildenstern. 

Haufniae    [Copenhagen]   sthen  Builde  tull  Wandass. 

Dr.  Lee  also  records  that  a  correspondent.  Dr.  Balti,  writes  him  that 
the  Guildensternes  of  Denmark  became  extinct  in  Denmark  in  1729  until 
which  date  they  had  flourished  there  since  the  year  1300,  and  that  he  had 
seen  a  copy  of  a  funeral  sermon  preached,  prior  to  the  year  1600,  over  the 
remains  of  "Rosencrantz  and  Guildensterne,"  two  courtiers  or  attendants 
at  the  Danish  throne.  To  this  discovery  of  Dr.  Leo's  must  now  be  added  Mr. 
Percy  Simpson's  discovery  of  a  volume  entitled  "  Tychonis  Brahe  Daniepis- 
tolarvm  Astronomicarvm  libri  Quorvm  Primus  his  illvstris  lavdatis  Principis 
Gvlielmi  Hassiae  Landtgravii  ac  ipsius  Mathematici  Literas  vnaq  Responsa 
ad  singulas  complectiur.  Noribergae  Apud  Levinum  Hulsiiun,  Cum  Caesaris 
et  Regvm  Qvovndam  privilcgiis.  Anno  M  DCI.'  On  the  verso  of  the  title 
page  of  this  book  is  a  half-length  portrait  of  Tycho  Brahe  bordered  by  a  panel 
containing  the  coat  of  Arms  of  sixteen  noblemen  with  the  names  of  the  owner 
of  the  shields  under  each.  Under  the  coats  of  one  of  these  shield  escutcheons 
is  the  name  "Rosencrans,"  and  under  another  of  them  the  ijame  "Gvldestere" 
omitting  the  N.  This  work  bears  the  imprint,  1601.  And  in  another  volume 
"Astronomiae  Instauratiae  Mechanica,  Noribergae  apud  Levinvm  Hvlsivm 
1602,"  also  by  Tycho  Brahe,  this  same  portrait  is  again  used  as  a  frontis- 
piece. The  juxtaposition  of  these  two  names,  the  dates  of  the  two  publi- 
cations— the  latter  the  year  before  the  date  of  the  first  quarto  Hamlet,  and 
the  fact  that  the  works  of  the  great  astronomer  were  of  international  inter- 
est and  importance,  may  well  justify  us  in  including  one  or  the  other  of 
these  books  in  the  list  of  those  with  which  so  omniverous  a  reader  as  Shake- 


xvi  I  ntrodnction 

speare  might  not  improbably  have  been  more  or  less  familiar.  The 
design  was.  it  seems,  re-engraved  for  Peter  Gassend's  "Tychonis  Brahei  Vita 
(Paris  1654)  and  in  this  engraving  the  spelling  adopted  is  Gvuldensteren. 
In  announcing  this  interesting  discovery  in  "The  Athenaeum"  Mr.  Simpson 
continues :  "It  appears  that  this  Guildensterne  was  commissioned  to  procure 
some  elks  ("Elendsthier,"  "Alee  cicurata,"  in  the  German  and  Latin  texts) 
for  the  Landgrave  of  Hesse.  Brahe  writes  to  the  Landgrave  on  September 
26th,  1 591,  that  he  cannot  procure  any  in  Denmark,  gut  "hab  ich  hinauif  in 
Norwegen  an  Koniglicher  Maiestat-  allda  stadhalter  |  den  Edlen  vnd 
W^olgebornen  Exel  Guldenstern  |  welcher  mein  gar  nahe  Verwand- 
ter  vnd  sehr  guter  Freud  ist|  fleissig  geschrieben  vnd  angelangt  |  dass  er 
mir  aufifs  wenigst  ein  par  derselbigen  Thier  |  die  da  jung  weren  |  mit  erster 
gelegenheit  herab  shicken  wolte  j  dan  dero  in  seinem  Lehen  vnd  Gebiete 
etliche  verhanden  seyndt"  (p.  214).  The  animals  were  sent,  but  they  died 
and  the  Landgrave  wrote  for  more  in  1592.  Brahe  replied  on  September 
20th  that  he  had  just  received  letters  "Consanguinei  mei  Nobilissimi  viri 
Axilli  Gvldenstern  Regij  n  Norugeia  Vicarij,"  complaining  of  difficulties 
in  executing  the  commission :  Guildenstern  had  got  the  elks,  but  could  not 
find  a  trustworthy  captain  to  ship  them  over.  Finally  two  were  sent,  pro- 
cured, says  Brahe  (p.  306),  by  "meinem  Bultsverwanter  Axel  Gvldensterne." 
Rosencrantz  is  mentioned  once  in  the  letters,  as  associated  with  John  Dee, 
the  English  astrologer.  Christopher  Rothmann,  Court  Astronomer  to  the 
Landgrave,  writes  to  Brahe  on  August  22nd,  1589: — "Literas  illas,  quas  ad 
Geellium  Sasceriden  schipseras,  nuper  tradidi  Praceptori  Nobiliss.  Rosen- 
crantzii,  ui  me  et  ex  te  et  ex  Nobiliss.  D  loanne.  Dee.,  amico  meo  singulari, 
perquam  humaniter  salutabat"  (p.  153.)  Holger  Rosencrantz  was  born  on 
December  14th,  1574,  and  died  on  October  28,  1642;  he  was  connected  by 
marriage  with  Brahe,  and  he  prefixed  a  copy  of  laudatory  Latin  verse  to 
the  'Mechanica'  when  it  was  first  published  in  1597.  His  correspondence 
with  Brahe  from  1596  to  160 1  has  been  edited  by  F.  R.  Friis  (Copenhagen, 
Trulsen,  1896).  A  brief  life  of  him  is  given  in  Tycho  de  Hofman's  'Por- 
traits Historques  des  Honimes  Illustres  de  Dannemark,'  part  iv.  pp.  9-10 
(Copenhagen,  1746),  and  the  interesting  statement  is  made  that  he  accom- 
panied the  Danish  ambassador  Christian  Friis  de  Borreby  on  his  official 
visit  to  England  to  be  present  at  the  coronation  of  James  I.  It  is  perhaps 
worth  adding  that  a  "Magnus  Gildenstem"  came  to  England  in  the  train 
of  Christian  IV,  in  1606  (Nichol's  'Progresses  of  James  I.,'  i.  606).    After 


Introduction  xvii 

the  accession  of  James,  with  the  close  ties  then  connecting  the  Courts 
of  England  and  Denmark,  any  license  in  the  use  of  contemporary  Danish 
names  would  be  inconceivable,  especially  when  a  member  of  a  distin- 
guished family  had  paid  an  official  visit  to  this  country.  But  under  Eliz- 
abeth the  relations  were  not  so  intimate,  and  personal  names  would  be 
known  more  vaguely:  a  literary  source  such  as  the  'Epistolge,'  the  work 
of  a  distinguished  Dane,  would  be  precisely  the  one  on  which  a  playwright 
might  be  expected  to  draw.  Moreover,  the  stage  history  of  'Hamlet'  fits 
in  with  the  date  1601  admirably,  and  even  indicates  a  conceivable  channel 
by  which  the  names  reached  Shakespeare.  The  First  Quarto  of  'Hamlet' 
stated  on  the  title-page  that  the  play  had  been  performed  in  "the  Cittie  of 
London:  as  also  in  the  two  Vniuersities  of  Cambridge  and  Oxford,  and 
else-where."  Mr.  Fleay,  commenting  on  this  indication  that  the  company 
had  travelled,  has  pointed  out  that  the  only  year  in  which  they  are  known 
to  have  been  absent  from  London  is  1601,  and  that  this  must  be  the  date 
of  Shakespeare's  work  upon  the  quarto.  The  company  visited  Scotland 
in  that  year.  Did  Shakespeare  go  with  them?  Did  they  perform  at  the 
Court  of  King  James?  When  James  was  in  Denmark  in  1590,  he  visited 
Tycho  Brahe  at  Uranienburg;  Brahe  mentions  his  recognizing  the  likeness 
of  Buchanan  on  a  globe  in  the  Museum  ('Epistolse  Astronomicae,'  p.  238). 
James  would  be  a  likely  person  to  receive  a  presentation  copy,  or  at  least 
to  hear  of  the  book  and  procure  it  for  himself." 

But,  apart  from  all  conjecture,  it  is  very  important  to  note  that  Mr. 
Simpson's  discovery  agrees  with  other  evidence  in  determining  a  date  for 
the  original   composition   of   Shakespeare's   Hamlet. 

So  the  body  of  Shakespearean  history  is  daily  augmenting;  and  the 
statement  of  fifty  years  ago  that  we  know  next  to  nothing  of  him — is 
already  impossible! 

And  that  these  English  actors  passed  from  Holland  over  into  Germany 
there  is  also  plenty  of  testimony.  There  is  a  letter  dated  1586,  now  in  Dul- 
wich  College,  written  by  an  actor  named  Jones  to  Edward  Alleyn,  in  which 
pleading  great  i)overty,  he  solicits  aid  to  "go  over  the  seas  with  Mr.  Brown 
and  his  company."  And  a  German  passport  exists  which  shows  that  in 
1 59 1  this  Jones  played  with  Brown's  company  in  Germany,  Holland  and 
Friesland,  "tragedies,  comedies,  and  histories."  Richard  Jones  was  one 
of  the  Earl  of  Worcester's  j)layers  in  1586,  when  Alleyn  was  a  member  of 
that  company,  and  tiiese  players  may,  too,  have  passed  into  Germany,  per- 


xviii  Introduction 

haps  seen  the  plays  of  Hans  Sachs  and  Ayrer,  for  the  last  named's 
play  of  Sidea  and  Engelbrecht  and  the  former's  play  of  King  Lear 
strongly  support  the  conjecture,  their  plot,  characters,  and  general  treat- 
ment closely  resembling  those  of  Shakespeare's  Tempest  and  King  Lear. 
In  1586  there  were  preforming  before  the  Saxon  Court  five  English  play- 
ers who  had  previously  been  playing  in  Denmark.  They  performed,  in 
English,  and  appeared  both  in  Dresden  and  Berlin.  "At  the  entertain- 
ment of  the  Cardinal  Alphonsus  and  the  Infant  of  Spaine  in  the  Low- 
countryes,  they  were  presented  at  Antwerp  with  sundry  pageants  and 
plays — the  King  of  Denmarke,  father  to  him  that  now  reigneth,  enter- 
tained in  his  service  a  company  of  English  commedians  commended 
unto  him  by  the  honourable  the  Earle  of  Leicester — the  Duke  of  Bruns- 
wicke,  and  the  Landgrave  of  Hesson  retaine  in  their  courts  certaine  of 
ours  of  the  same  quality."  Heywood,  "Apologie  for  Actors,  1612"  (Ed. 
Shakespeare  Society — p.  40).  Frederick  II,  who  died  in  1588.  Five  of 
these  actors  left  King  Frederick's  court  in  1586,  and  entered  the  service 
of  the  Elector  of  Saxony.  Of  these  five,  two:  Thomas  Pope  and  George 
Bryan,  just  mentioned  as  having  been  in  Elsinore,  returned  to  England 
and  joined  Shakespeare's  company,  as  appears  by  the  list  of  "The  names 
of  the  Principall  Actors  in  All  These  Plays"  prefixed  to  the  First  Folio. 

The  plays  they  presented  were  delivered  in  English — the  Merchant 
of  Venice,  for  example,  was  so  presented  at  Halle  in  161 1,  during  Shakes- 
peare's lifetime,  and  in  1626,  we  have  records  of  similar  performances  of 
Romeo  and  Julietta,  Julio  Caesare,  Lear,  King  in  England,  and  Hamlet 
a  Prizen  Dennemarck.  The  late  Albert  Cohn,  in  his  "Shakespeare  in 
Germany,"  who  is  the  unimpeachable  authority  for  these  statements, 
adds  that  in  Rochell's  "Chronicle  of  the  City  of  Munster"  it  is  stated  that 
on  November  26th,  1599,  "eleven  Englishmen,  all  young  and  lovely  fellows, 
except  one,  a  rather  elderly  man,  who  managed  everything  .  .  acted 
for  five  successive  days  in  the  Town  Hall,  five  different  comedies  in  their 
English  language. 

"...  They  had  with  them  various  instruments  on  which  they 
played,  such  as  lutes,  zithers,  fiddles,  pipes  and  the  like — they  danced 
many  new  and  strange  dances,  not  common  here  in  this  country  at  the  be- 
ginning and  end  of  their  comedies.  They  had  with  them  a  clown  who  be- 
fore each  act,  when  they  had  to  change  their  costume,  spoke  much  non- 
sense  in   German,   and   played   many   pranks   to   make  the  people   laugh. 


Introduction  xix 

They  were  licensed  by  the  Town  Council  for  six  days  only,  after  which 
they  had  to  leave.  During  these  six  days,  they  got  a  great  deal  of  money 
from  those  who  wished  to  see  them,  and  hear  them.  For  every  one  had 
to  give  them  a  shilling  at  their  departure." 

All  this  is  important.  But  it  would  not  help  us  materially  in  our 
search  for  our  missing  Ur-Hamlet  were  it  not  that  Mr.  Cohn's  "Shakes- 
peare in  Germany"  (BerHn:  Asher  &  Co.,  1865),  gave  also  English  trans- 
lations of  several  German  plays  of  the  sixteenth  and  seventeenth  centuries, 
the  action  of  which  was  that  of  certain  of  the  Plays  known  as  Shakespeare's, 
and  the  lines  of  which  emphasized  a  certainty  that  such  action  was  accom- 
panied by  lines  of  identical  tenor  with  the  text  of  Shakespeare  himself. 
Among  these  plays  was  one  entitled  Der  Bestrafte  Brudermord  Oder 
Hamlet  iens  Denmark.  It  is  dressed  with  a  Prologue  between  Night, 
a  goddess,  and  her  attendants,  whom  she  summons  to  spread  her 
dark  mantle  over  deeds  of  shame  to  be  performed  by  mortals,  and  one  of 
these  deeds  of  shame  is  exactly  the  murder  of  a  Danish  King  "Hamlet" 
and  the  subsequent  action  is  the  story  of  the  Hamlet  of  the  Historye  of 
Hamblett  and  of  the  First  Quarto  of  Shakespeare's  Hamlet!  This  Pro- 
logue, added  in  Germany  and  of  a  statelier  diction  than  the  play  itself, 
need  not  detain  us  here  at  all.  The  conclusion,  it  seems  to  this  Editor,  is, 
since  this  play  was  performed  by  English  actors  in  Germany  earlier  than 
the  appearance  in  England  of  the  First  Quarto;  and  since  its  text  calls 
for  a  Prince  Hamlet,  who  shall  deport  himself  quite  as  the  citations  from 
Lodge  and  others  above  given  require,  that  here  at  last  we  find  a  vestige 
of  the  very  Ur-Hamlet  we  are  searching  for ;  and  that,  if  we  retranslate 
this  Brudfrmord  back  into  English  we  will  arrive  at  a  very  fair  conception 
indeed  of  what  that  required  Ur-Hamlet  was  like.  Perhaps,  indeed,  it 
may  compel  us  either  to  reject  Mr.  White's  theory  that  the  First  Quarto 
Shakespeare  Hamlet  was  a  stolen  version  of  the  Second  Quarto  version, 
or  else  to  accept  that  First  Quarto  as  being  an  abitrary  rendition  fol- 
lowing this  very  Ur-Hamlet,  renaming  sundry  characters  and  not  preced- 
ing the  First  Quarto  at  all  (which  would  be  so  very  violent  a  theory  and 
run  it.self  amuck  against  so  many  incidental  items  of  evidence,  that  it  must 
be  rejected.)  Did  I  not  hesitate  to  add  even  one  more  to  the  already  be- 
wildering mass  of  Hamlet  conjectures,  I  might  guess  that  that  surrep- 
titiour  stenographer  took  down  only  as  much  of  the  lines  as  his  ear  could 
seize  upon,  and  supplied  all  the   rest  at   his  leisure — getting  for  example, 


XX 


Introduction 


the  name  of  Corambis  from  his  memory  of  the  Ur-Hamlet.  For,  Coram- 
bis  is  the  name  of  the  Prime  Minister  in  the  First  Quarto;  it  is  Corambis 
in  the  Brudermord  but  if  the  First  Quarto  was  a  stenographic  report 
of  the  second  it  would  naturally  have  been  Polonius  as  the  name  is  in 
the  Second  Quarto.  Dr.  Isaac  Hull  Piatt  (New  Shakespeareana  III,  83), 
has  interested  himself  to  find  a  reason  for  this  change— as  startling  as 
the  reason  for  changing  Old  Castle  to  Falstafif.    Says  Dr.  Piatt: 

"It  has  often  been  suggested  that  in  the  character  of  Polonius  Lord 
Burghley  is  satirised.     Polonius's  precepts  to  Laertes  are  a  paraphrase  of 
Buro-hley's   precepts   to  his   son   Robert  when  the   latter  was   about  to  set 
out  on  his  travels.     This  was  noted  by  French  in  Shakespeareana  Genea- 
logica,  quoted  in  Dr.  Furness's  Variorum  Hamlet,  Vol.  II.  p.  239.     But 
why  did  Hamlet  call  him  a  "fishmonger?"     The  name  Polonius  may  very 
well   be   derived  from   noo'Keo    to   go   about,   to   busy  one's   self,  or  from 
TfoXeoo    to   sell,   to   hawk,   trade,   and   this   might   account   for   the   latter 
part  of  the  word,  but  why  a  "fishmonger"?     If  Polonius  was  meant  by 
Shakespeare  as  a  lampoon  on  Burghley  the  answer  is  rather  clear.     "To 
make  up  for  the  loss  to  the  shipping  which  the  downfall  of  Catholicism 
had  caused  by   diminishing  the  demand  for  fish,  he    (Burghley)    obtained 
the  passing  of  a  curious  law  which  made  the  eating  of  flesh  on  Friday  and 
Saturday,  and  on  Wednesday  unless  fish  dishes  were  also  placed  on  the 
table,  a  misdemeanor."     (Encycl.  Brit.  Art.  Cecil.)     When  the  law  was  new 
and  fresh   in   the  minds  of  the   people  the  topical   allusion   could  hardly 
fail    to    appear    very    pointed    and    amusing   to    every    one    but    the    Lord 
Treasurer.     In  the  early  version  of  the  play  Polonius  was  called  Coram- 
bis.    Why  was  the  change  made?     Webster's   Dictionary   says  that  Cecil 
is    from   the    Latin   meaning   dim-sighted.      Corambis    might    be    derived 
from  coram,  face  to  face,  from  cora,  the  pupil  of  the  eye,  and  bis,  double, 
so  Corambis  would  be  equivalent  to  "Mr.   Seeing  Double."     Perhaps  a 
better  derivation  would  be  from  coramble,  which  seems  sometimes  to  have 
assumed  the  form  corymbe,  gen.  corymbis,  the  name  of  an  herb  supposed 
to  cause  dimness  of  vision.     In  either  case  it  would  seem  like  a  play  on 
Burghley 's   family  name.     This  being  so,  it  would  seem  likely  that  after 
Burghley's  death  in   1598,  somebody  deemed  it  best  to  change  the  name 
to  prevent  the  satire  appearing  to  obvious.     Again :     It  is  well  known  that 
Burghley   was   not   above   using   spies,   of  whom   he   employed   many;   it 
would  be  interesting  to  ascertain  whether  some  servant  or  agent  of  his 


Introduction  xxi 

was  named  Hill  or  Mount  or  something  similar.  This  would  account 
for  Reynaldo,  Polonius's  servant,  whom  he  sets  as  a  spy  on  Laertes, 
being  called  Montano  in  the  early  version.  I  note,  however,  that 
Judge  Holmes  (Authorship  of  Shakespeare.  Revised  Edition  H.  626) 
says  that  Cicero,  once  when  railing  at  the  indolence  and  so  on  of  the 
Roman  Senators,  calls  them  "fishmongers!" 

As  the  nearest  to  what  Ur-Hamlet  was  (and  I  really  cannot  see  any 
reason  for  calling  it  Kyd's,  save  the  above  noted  resemblance  of  the  plot 
to  the  plot  of  one  of  Kyd's  plays,  which  to  me  seems  rather  a  reason  were  one 
needed,  against  his  authorship),  we  here,  therefore,  antiphonate  a  retransla- 
tion  of  Der  Brudermord  over  against  the  text  of  the  Second  Quarto  Hamlet, 
and  timidly  oflfer  the  result  to  Shakespearean  Higher  Criticism. 

I  may  permit  myself  to  add,  perhaps,  to  Mr.  Vining's  Bankside  Ham- 
let, a  few  items  wherein  our  Ur-Hamlet  (to  which  Mr.  Vining  gives  equiv- 
alent attention)  possessed  a  technical  merit  even  perferable  to  the  Shakes- 
peare Hamlet  itself.     To  wit: 

In  our  Hamlet  we  have  this  explanation  of  Hamlet's  status  at  the 
Danish  Court — a  much  better  one  than  the  Prince's  statement  to  Rosen- 
cranz  and  Guildensterne  that  he  "lacked  advancement." 

"Alas,  Horatio!  I  know  not  how  it  is  that  since  my  father's  death  I 
am  always  so  sick  at  heart;  while  my  royal  mother  has  already  forgotten 
him,  and  the  King  still  sooner;  for  while  I  was  in  Germany  he  had  him- 
self crowned  with  all  haste  in  Denmark.  But  to  assume  some  sort  of 
show  of  title  he  has  made  over  to  me  the  Crown  of  Norway,  and  appealed 
to  the  will  of  the  States."  Neither  by  English  nor  Danish  law  was  the 
marriage  of  Claudius  with  Queen  Gertrude  "incestuous"  as  Prince  Ham- 
let was  fond  of  calling  it.  But  if  the  new  King  could  persuade  the  people 
to  declare  his  succession,  not  as  King  jure  uxoris,  but  as  King 
in  his  own  right,  then  Prince  Hamlet  would  indeed  be  ousted  in  case 
of  a  son  being  born  to  Claudius  by  the  Queen  Gertrude.  The  usurpation 
during  Hamlet's  stay  at  Wittemberg  consisted  in  the  fact  that,  on  the 
death  of  the  elder  Hamlet,  his  son,  (the  Prince  Hamlet  of  the  Play,) 
would  have  become  King.  In  other  words,  the  Ur-Hamlet  raises  almost 
the  very  question,  which  Bacon  in  his  History  of  Henry  the  Seventh 
states  as  being  debated  at  the  accession  of  that  first  Tudor  monarch  after 
his  hasty  crowning  on   Bosworth   Field:     "But  the   King  re- 

solved to  rest  upon  the  title  of  Lanaster  as  the  main,  and  to  use  the  other 


XXll 


Introduction 


two,  that  of  marriage,  and  that  of  battle,  but  as  supporters,  the  one  to  ap- 
pease secret  discontents,  and  the  other  to  beat  down  murmur  and  dis- 
pute," etc. 

Again,  the  Ur-Hamlet  assists  to  the  item  always  most  lacking  in  these 

matters a   date!     And   it   does   in   this   instance  as   usual  by  a  locaHsm. 

In  the  Bankside  Introduction  to  The  Merry  Wives  of  Windsor  I  pointed 
out  how  (ahhough  the  majority  of  commentators  treated  the  First  Quarto 
of  The  Merry  Wives  precisely  as  they  did  the  First  Quarto  of  Hamlet— 
namely,  as  a  surreptitious  and  stolen  report  of  a  better  version)   an  actual 
examination  of  the  better  version  showed  that  the  accretions  were  largely 
allusions  to  our  accounts  of  things  which  happened  after  the  date  of  the 
First   Quarto — nmning  along  at   intervals   of  one,   two  and  three  years, 
and  even   at   longer   ones,   until   many   of  them   were   of   no   importance, 
and    had    entirely    lost   their    significance    by    lapse    of   time — and    which, 
therefore,  could  not  have  been  inserted  at  once ;  that  is  to  say,  that  the  play 
grew  in  the  mouths  of  the  actors  by  precisely  what  we  to-day  call  "local- 
isms" and  "gags."     And  here,  too,  it  seems  to  me,  is  a  curious  proof 
that  these  English  actors  in  Germany  in  playing  Hamlet,  used  a  certain 
"gag"  or  hit  at  a  matter  of  London  talk  in  or  about  1589.     It  had  passed 
its  interest,   (and  that  not  a  comic  one,)  and  so  was  also  discontinued  in 
the   Shakespeare  Quartos.     But  it  seems  to  have  been  interpolated  into 
the   Ur-Hamlet   of   London.     And   being  accustomed   to   it,   the   EngUsh 
actor    seems   to   have   used   it.        The    German   transcriber   took   it   down, 
just  as  it  was,  as  if  it  were  a  part  of  the  play,  (an  allusion  to  Portugal  in 
Denmark  was  quite  as  natural  as  an  allusion    to  England).    But  it  stamps, 
to  my  thinking,  not  only  the  English  origin  of  the  Brudermord  "Frari- 
cide   Punished;  or,   Prinz   Hamlet  of  Dennemarck,"  but  proves  that  the 
custom  of  "gagging"   or  "locaHzing"  a  play,  from  time  to  time,  was  a 
custom  of  Shakespeare's  day  quite  as  constantly  as  in  our  own.     This 
is  the  incident :     In  Fratricide  Punished,  Act  III,  scene  X.,  occurs  the  dia- 
logue : 

King. — We  have  resolved  to  send  you  to  England     . 
Hamlet.— Ay,  Ay,  King  send  me  ofif  to  Portugal,  so  that  I  may  never 
come  back  again.     That's  the  better  plan. 

The  interpolation  was  evidently  an  allusion  to  what  at  about  that  time 
was  a  matter  of  public  indignation,  viz:  Essex's  disastrous  expedition  to 
Portugal  in  1589,  in  which,  out  of  the  eleven  hundred  officers  and  twenty- 


Introduction  xxiii 

one  hundred  common  soldiers  who  started  with  him,  three  hundred  and 
fifty  officers  and  eleven  hundred  soldiers  never  lived  to  come  back.  The 
localism  certainly  had  no  meaning  in  Germany  and  had  nothing  to  do 
with  the  play  in  Germany.  But  it  helps  us  to  a  date  for  the  Ur-Hamlet, 
which,  when  ascertained,  corroborates  the  one  called  for  by  the  quotations 
presented  above. 

Again  our  Ur-Hamlet  italicises,  once  more,  the  ever  present  realiza- 
tion of  how  little  Shakespeare  took  and  how  much  he  added  to  what  we 
all  still  call  "the  sources  of  the  Plays."  All  the  philosophy,  the  reasoning, 
the  intercommuning  upon  life  and  death ;  all  that  we  think  of  as  connected 
with  Hamlet  for  example  among  characters  in  fiction  are  unsuggested 
until  now.  To  lighten  the  lurid  story  by  the  travesty  of  the  even  then 
forgotten  dialectics  of  the  counsel  in  Hales  v.  Petit,  where  Lady  Hales 
bases  her  hopes  of  defeating  an  escheat  upon  a  casuistic  differences 
between  the  act  of  a  man  throwing  himself  into  a  water-course  (an  act 
which  was  not  a  felony)  and  the  water  in  said  water-course  drowning 
the  man  (who  nor  his  representatives  could  be  held  responsible  for  what 
that  water  did)  giving  the  Court  opportunity  to  enunciate  that  principle 
of  Relation  which  has  ever  since  enriched  the  common  law!  All  this 
enrichment  of  plot  and  circumstance  was  Shakespeare's  own!  I  leave  it 
to  the  dramaturgists  to  expatiate  upon  what  seems  to  me  the  most  in- 
tensely dramatic  contretemps  in  all  Histrionics.  Namely:  the  first  appear- 
ance of  the  Ghost.  A  lay  figure,  Bernardo,  is  asked  to  narrate  in  detail 
its  appearance,  and  he  begins  a  circumstantial  monologue,  which  promises 
to  be  a  tedious  interruption  of  the  tense  situation:  "Last  night  of  all  when 
that  same  star  that's  westward  from  the  pole,"  etc.  But  the  narration  is 
broken  off  and  obviated  by  the  appearance  a  I'instant  of  the  Ghost  him- 
self! An  obvious  betterment  from  the  Ghost's  first  entry  in  the  Ur-Ham- 
let, where  he  hits  the  sentinel  a  box  on  his  ears  from  behind! 

All  the  Prince  Hamlets,  the  Saxo,  the  Belleforest,  and  the  Ur-Ham- 
let, simulate  madness.  But  Shakespeare,  as  if  foreseeing  that  in  modern 
days  a  cloud  of  commentators  would  arise  to  speculate  as  to  whether 
Shakespeare's  Hamlet  alone  was  really  mad,  gives  in  the  Prince's  own 
lines,  unmistakable  evidence  of  his  princely  sanity,  not  only  making  him 
warn  his  attendants  that  he  might  see  fit  to  put  an  antic  disposition  on, 
but  joking  with  them  as  to  his  own  state  of  compos  mentis.  He  is  only  mad 
north-north-west,   etc.      And    if   there   ever   were   an    item    in   the   play   to 


XXIV 


Introduction 


suggest  lunacy  it  would  seem  to  fade  before  the  Prince's  merry  inquiry 
of  Horatio  whether  his  success  with  the  inner-play  would  not  justify 
his  acquiring  a  share  in  the  Company  of  Players  and  wearing  a  forest 
of  feathers!  breaking  out  with  a  taste  of  his  quality  for  impromptu: 

"For  thou  dost  know,  O  Damon  dear 
This  realm  dismantled  was 
Of  Jove  himself ;  and  now  reigns  here 
A  very  very— CLAUDIUS  ! 

for  Horatio  says :  "You  might  have  rhymed,"  and  surely  Claudius  is  a 
better  and  more  proper  rhyme  than  Pa  jock !  And  if  anyone  is  permitted  to 
suggest  a  new  reading  in  Shakespeare  I  respectfully,  with  submission  to  the 
Court,  suggest  this  one. 

Again ;  in  the  Ur-Hamlet  the  Prince  gets  rid  of  the  attendants  who 
answer  Rosencrantz  and  Guildensterne  by  offering  to  allow  them  two  chances 
of  putting  himself  to  death  by  firing  at  him  from  opposite  sides,  he  himself 
giving  the  word.  They  fire.  He  stoops  and  each  shoots  the  other  dead. 
Shakespeare  does  it  more  deftly,  for  Rosencrantz  and  Guildensterne  might 


not  have  so  readily  been  captured  by  a  transparent  ruse.    He  had  his  fath- 
er's signet  in  his  purse,  which  was  the  model  of  the  Danish  seal.    And  the 


Introduction  xxv 

Danish  Consul  at  New  York  City  enables  me  to  add  this  one  more  evidence 
of  Shakespeare's  constant  accuracy,  even  in  the  most  minute  matters  of  fact. 
It  appears  that  from  the  date  of  King  Waldemar,  surnamed  "The  Victor," 
until  very  recent  years,  no  special  Danish  coat  of  arms  existed ;  each  King 
using  his  own  personal  coat  of  arms,  which  thereby  became  the  official  coat 
of  arms  during  the  King's  reign.  How  this  has  been  modified  into  the  pres- 
ent national  Danish  coat  of  arms  our  second  cut  displays.  But  as  King 
Qaudius  was  jure  uxoris,  the  use  of  Prince  Hamlet's  father's  signet  was 
sufficient  warrant  for  the  English  King  to  do  execution  upon  the  unfortunate 
courtiers.  And  I  think  nobody  will  deny  that  a  "Union"  dropped  in  Rhen- 
ish was  a  more  fitting  Queenly  carouse  to  Prince  Hamlet's  fortune  with  the 
foils  than  "an  Eastern  diamond  powdered  fine  and  dissolved  in  a  cup  of  warm 
beer"  which  the  Ur-Hamlet  calls  for! 

Thus  loving  and  faithful  students  of  the  text  are  daily  adding  items 
of  corroboration  to  and  verification  of  Shakespeare  detail.  Signally  has 
Judge  Phelps  unearthed  the  origin  of  the  name  Falstafif  and  Mr.  Henry 
Pemberton,  Jr.,  of  Philadelphia,  been  successful  in  identifying  John  Hay- 
wood as  Yorick  (New  Shakespeareana,  Vol.  V.,  page  82),  and  Biron  as 
Lamond — "The  Gentleman  of  Normandy  who  was  the  Brooch  and  Gem  of 
all  the  Nation."  (Id.  VI,  63)  and  by  a  remarkable  casting  of  computation 
has  demonstrated  that  the  "stars  with  trains  of  fire  and  dews  of  blood" 
and  "the  moist  star  sick  almost  to  doomsday  with  eclipse"  were  references 
to  ascertainable  and  certain  phenomena,  to  wit :  meteoric  showers  of  the 
required  dates.  (Id.  VH,  i.)  Sir  Edward  Sullivan,  too,  was  fortunate 
enough  to  purchase  at  a  London  book  auction  a  black-letter  quarto  of  "The 
Civile  Conversation  of  M.  Steeven  Gazzio,  written  first  in  Italian  and  now 
translated  out  of  French  by  George  Pettie,  etc.  Imprinted  at  London  by 
Richard  Watkins  1581.  In  this  work  are  such  startling  paraphrases  of 
speeches  in  Hamlet,  Macbeth — measure  for  measure,  and  Loves  Labours 
Lost  as,  were  dates  acquiescent,  could  only  mean  that  Gazzio  had  copied 
Shakespeare.  (These  parallelisms  are  given  in  extenso  in  New  Shake- 
speareana III,  p.  74) — and  Professor  E.  A.  Sonhennschcin  has  discovered 
in  Seneca's  De  dementia  (Id.  IV,  131,)  the  exact  sentiments  as  to  mercy, 
that  Portia  pronounces  expressed  in  the  exact  syntax  which  Portia  uses. 
Discoveries  like  these  are  certainly  more  valuable  than  that  eternal  rearrange- 
ment of  stereotype  details  bequeathed  to  us  by  Rowe  and  Malone,  which 
passes  among  too  many  of  us  for  "ripe  Shakespearean  scholarship."  (tliough 


XX  vi  Introduction 

German  Universities,  I  am  assured,  do  not  forbid  their  professors  to  keep 
abreast  of  any  proffered  or  possible  channels  of  either  internal  or  external 
Shakespeare  exploration). 

'' '  I  am  fully  aware  of  two  objections  to  the  present  volume.  First,  that  the 
conjectural  text  of  the  Ur-Hamlet  given  here,  is  not  in  sixteenth  century 
diction  at  all.  But  to  have  counterfeited  such  sixteenth  century  phrasing, 
had  I  been  equal  to  it — would  by  its  flavor  of  tour  de  force  have  defeated 
the  impression  I  seek  to  emphasize — namely,  that  only  the  action  of  the  Play 
could  have  been  presented  on  London  boards,  say  at  Paris  Gardens,  where 
Dekkar  records  having  seen  it,  or  at  Newington  Butts,  where,  (as  we  learn 
from  the  invaluable  Henslowe's  Diary  which  I  hope  will  prove  not  to  have 
been  tampered  with),  a  play  called  ''Hamlet"  was  acted  by  "'My  Lord 
Admirall  and  my  Ld.  Chamberlain's  men.  June  1594."  For  my  purpose 
the  running  version  of  Der  Bestrafte  Brudermoiud  seems  to  answer  well 
enough.  The  second  objection  is,  of  course,  that  this  volume  has  no  war- 
rant to  place  in  The  Bankside  Restoration  Series  at  all.  This  is  true,  and 
most  palpably  true.  I  can  only  plead  the  convenience  of  The  New  York 
Shakespeare  Society,  which  after  promising  for  so  many  years  a  Four  Text 
Hamlet,  has  been  obliged  to  present  the  four  texts  in  two  volumes  instead 
of  in  one :  the  texts  of  the  First  Quarto  and  the  First  Folio  being  now 
paralleled  in  Volume  XI  of  The  Bankside  Shakespeare  and  those  of  the 
Ur-Hamlet  and  of  the  Second  Folio  herein.  As  it  is  expected  that  each 
respective  set  of  The  Bankside  Shakespeare  and  The  Bankside  Restoration 
Series  will  ultimately  be  reduced  to  a  single  possession,  the  inconsistency  may 
not  always  be  so  apparent ;  and  my  own  workmanship  in  this  parallelization 
may  be  pardoned  me. 

Had  we  been  able  to  present  in  this  volume  a  parallelization  of  the  Sec- 
ond Quarto  with  the  First  Folio,  evidences  of  what  seem  to  have  been  a  later 
revision  for  stage-purposes  of  this  Play  would  have  been  apparent  to  mystify 
us  still  more  in  any  attempt  to  supply  its  stage  History.  For  instances  to 
avoid  bringing  in  Fontinbeas  and  his  army — even  if  represented  by  "four 
or  five  most  ragged  foils — to  interrupt  the  action  of  an  already  tremendous 
Play — Hamlet's  entire  fourth  soliloquy  about  "the  little  patch  of  ground  not 
worth  five  ducats"  is  ruthlessly  cut  out  in  the  first  Folio.  All  the  dialogue 
between  Bernardo  comparing  the  ghost's  appearance  to  the  sheeted  dead  that 
erst  did  squeak  and  gibber  in  the  Roman  streets,  (which  omission  by  the 
utmost  latitude  of  conjecture  has  been  assigned  to  an  accommodation  of  this 


Introduction 


xxvn 


play  with  an  assumed  run  of  Julius  Caesar,  either  just  before,  or  just  after  a 
run  of  Hamlet)  :  four  lines,  concerning  "that  monster  custom"  spoken 
by  Hamlet  in  his  mother's  chamber,  and  that  most  comfortable  soliloquy  of 
Prince  Hamlet's  in  which  he  proposes  to  hoist  the  engiaer  with  his  own  petar, 
and  by  delving  one  yard  below  his  enemies'  mines  to  blow  them  at  the  moon ! 
That  these  should  be  found  in  the  Second  Quarto  and  omitted  in  the  First 
Folio  is  a  curious  commentary  on  the  "Heminge  and  Condell"  statement 
that  the  First  Folio  version  presented  the  plays  "cured  and  perfect  of  their 
limber  and  absolute  in  their  numbers,"  etc.  Especially  when  we  obtain 
this  parallelization  by  such  a  parallelization  as  follows : 


"Heminge  and  Condell." 

For,  when  we  valew  the  places 
our  H.  H.  sustaine,  we  cannot  but 
know  their  dignity  greater,  then,  to 
descend  to  the  reading  of  these  tri- 
fles: 

Wherein,  as  we  haue  justly  ob- 
serued,  no  man  to  come  neere  your 
L.  L.  but  with  a  kind  of  religious 
addresse ;  it  hath  bin  the  height  of 
our  care,  who  are  the  Presenters,  to 
make  the  present  worthy  of  your 
H.  H.  by  the  perfection. 

Country  hands  reach  foorth  milke. 
creame,  fruites,  or  what  they  haue : 
and  many  Nations  (we  haue  heard) 
that  had  not  gummes  or  &  incense, 
obtained  their  requests  with  a  leau- 
ened  cake.  It  was  no  fault  to  ap- 
proach their  Gods,  by  what  means 
they  could. 

And  the  most,  though  meanest,  of 
things  arc  made  more  precious  when 
they  arc  dedicated  to  Temples. 

And  while  we  name  them  trifles, 
we  haue  depriu'd  ourselves  of  tlu' 
defence  of  our  Dedication. 

P>ut  since  your  L.  L.  haue  bcene 
plcas'd   to  thinke  these  trifles  some- 


Pliny's  Natural  History, 
I   considered  your  situation  much 
too  elevated  for  you  to  descend  to 
such  an  office. 


*  *  *  even  those  who  come  to 
pay  their  respects  to  you  do  so  with 
a  kind  of  veneration :  on  this  account 
I  ought  to  be  careful  that  what  is 
dedicated  to  you  should  be  worthy  of 
you. 

But  the  country  people,  and  in- 
deed, some  whole  nations  ofifer  milk 
to  the  Gods,  and  those  who  cannot 
procure  frankincense  substitute  in 
its  place  salted  cakes,  for  the  Gods 
are  not  satisfied  when  they  are 
worshipped  by  every  one  to  the  best 
of  his  ability. 

=!:  :;:  *  £qj.  t|-,i,igs  Q^e  often  con- 
ceived to  be  of  great  value,  solely 
because  they  are  consecrated  in  tem- 
ples. 

And  by  this  dedication  I  have  de- 
[>riv((I  myself  of  the  benefit  of  chal- 
lenge. For  still  thou  ne'er  wouldst 
(juile  disjjise  the  tritles  that  I  write. 


xxviii  Introduction 

thing  lieeretofore ;  and  haue  prose- 
qimtecl  Ixithe  them,  and  their  authour 
Huihii^  with  so  much  favour. 

There      is      a      great      difference,  For   it   is   a   very    different   thing 

whether  any  Booke  choose  his  Pa-  whether  a  person  has  a  judge  given 
trones.  or  finde  them:  this  hath  done  him  by  lot,  or  whether  he  voluntarily 
both.  selects  one. 

Such  a  deadly  parallel  column  as  the  above  sufficiently  indicates  that 
"Hejninge  and  Condell"  is  a  pseudonym  for  some  one  who  was  very  much 
another  sort  of  person  from  the  two  actors  who  ended  their  days  as  a  gro- 
cer and  a  Publican,  respectively,  without  so  muich  as  a  suspicion  that  their 
names  had  been  used  to  present  the  world  with  its  most  magnificent  Lit- 
erature ! 

And  yet  it  seems  that  the  tares  must  always  grow  with  the  wheat.  Prince 
Hamlet  addresses  to  poor  Ophelia  a  remark  so  excessively  coarse  and  vile, 
that,  even  in  the  Warwickshire  dialect  in  which  it  is  smothered,  it  is  unprint- 
able for  the  popular  reader !  Let  us  hope  that  this  passage  is  a  survival  from 

the  lost  ur-hamlet! 

Appleton  Morgan. 

Rooms  of  The  New  York  Shakespeare  Society, 
New  York  City,  October  2nd,  1907. 


Ij-wsrf 


■ifei»>^ 


.^ragipii  CiaConc  otj. 


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5^::-:^P^!^ 


S.^!,^:;^-r:'^>l 


'  *i 


THE 

Tragical!  Hiftorie  of 

HAMLET, 

Trince  of  Denmark^, 

By  Willum  Shakefpeare. 

Kewly  imprinted  and  enlarged  to  almoft  as  much 
againe  as  it  was,  according  to  the  true  and  pcrfeft 
Goppie, 


AT    LONDON, 

Printed  by  I.  R.  for  N.  L.  and  arc  to  be  (old  at  Bis 

(hoppc  vndcr  Saim  Dunftons  Church  in 
fleelftreet   1604. 


Ghost  of  t^e  olb  ting  of  2)cmncr!e 
Erico.    ^rot^er  to  t^e  ting. 
HamleL    prince  fon  to  t^e  ntUrbcrcb  ting 
vS'i^w.     %^c  ODecn,  §amlet^§  mother* 
Horatio,    51  no6Ic  frienb  to  tlje  prince     . 
Corambus,    9toi)at  g^cntberloin. 
Leonhardis — 6orani6i§  ^i§  fon 
Ophelia— ^otamU§  I)i§  bcDg^ter 
Phantasnio — 21)c  (SoUrt  ?5ooI 
Francisco,    Officer  of  t^c  gborb 
Car/.     9t  ^rinci^oll  of  t^e  2lctor§. 
/^r^.    31  ^cofant 
Two  Bandits,     Sentinells,    Life  Guards 

Players  &c 


The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet 


Ur-Hamlet 


H  A  M  L 


First  Sentinel     SS^at  frienb? 
Second  Sentinel.     91  frienb. 
First  Sentinel     '$i)\)ni  ^'^ienb? 
Second  Sentinel     (Sentinel. 


First  Sentinel  W),  t^e  tootcl^hiorb!  comrabc! — 't)o\i'xt  come  io  re» 
liene  nte.  ^  onii)  ^opt  i\)t  time  mot)  not  6e  §o  long  ta  l)oti  a0  it  ^a§ 
Been  to  me. 


Second  Sentinel     2B^i),  comrabe,  it  t§  not  fo  colb  nolo. 

FtV^^  Sentinel     ^oVb  or  not,  ^'ue  a  ^t\V§  oUin  flocat. 

5'^cowrf  Sentinel  SS^l)  fo  timib? — t^at'g  not  fo(bierli).  91  folbier 
f^oulb  fcor  neither  frienb  nor  foe;  nor  euen  t^e  2)c0il  ^imfelf. 

First  Sentinel  %i\fii^§  oil  neri|  JneW;  6Dt  (et  t^c  ^enil  once  cotc^ 
you  Be^inb,  onb  Ijob^II  6e  tolig^t  to  §ing  Miserere  Domino, 


1604 


The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet 


The  Tragedie  of 

HAMLET 

Prince  ofDenmarke, 


Enter  Barnardo,  and  Francijco,  two  Centinels. 


Bar. 

Bar. 

Fran. 

Fran. 

Bar. 

Fran. 

Bar. 

Fran. 


WHofe  there? 
Nay  anfwer  me.     Stand  and  vnfolde  your  lelfe. 
Long  Hue  the  King, 
Barnardo. 
Hee. 

You  come  moft  carefully  vpon  your  houre, 
Tis  now  ftrooke  twelfe,  get  thee  to  bed  Francijco, 
For  this  reliefe  much  thanks,  tis  bitter  cold, 
And  I  am  fick  at  hart. 
Bar.     Haue  you  had  quiet  guard? 
Fran.     Not  a  moufe  ftirring. 
Bar.     Well,  good  night: 

If  you  doe  meete  Horatio  and  Marcellus, 
The  riualls  of  my  watch,  bid  them  make  haft. 
Enter  Horatio,  and  Marcellus. 
Fran.     I  thinke  I  heare  them,  ftand  ho,  who  is  there? 
Hora.     Friends  to  this  ground. 
Mar.     And  Leeclgemcn   to  the  Dane, 
From.     Giue  youi  good  night. 

2 


8  The  Tragkall  Historic  of  Hamlet  Ur-Hamlet 


Second  Sentinel     SSJjnt,  tf)cn,  i§  it  that  \o\)\d)  f)n§  rcalll)  frig^tcneb 

First  Sentinel.  ^11  tcK  IjoU  ttlf  nboUt  it.  ^  Ijaitc  §ccn  a  g^oft  in 
tl^c  front  of  t^c  caftic,  lul)o  t)rt§  tJuicc  tricb  io  ^xid)  mc  bolon  from  t^c 
l^a^tion. 

5^co»rf  Sentinel  ^olb  i)oDr  tongDc,  ijoU  foot.  2)cab  bog§  bon't 
6itc.    :5'b  life  to  fee  if  a  gljoft  tfjat  ^a§  neither  flef^  nor  bloob  can 

^Urt  nte. 

First  Sentinel  SSell,  if  ^e  bo  \^m  ^imfclf,  l)ol)'II  fee  m^ot  ^e  mill 
be  Ufe,  onb  h)^ct!)cr  or  no  ^e  hjill  frighten  t)oU.  ^  mill  remain  in  t^c 
hJOtc^=l)oli§e.    9lbieU. 

Second  Sentinel  €ff  luitl)  t)0D;  |jerl)a^§  l)0U  lucre  Born  on  n  Sun- 
bat),  anb  can  fee  gl)oft§  of  all  fort§.  ^'11  nom  mount  gUarb  mijfclf. 
[Heaths,  to  the  sowtd  of  trumpets  within. 

Our  nelu  ^ing  mofe§  merrl).    Iffct)  ore  bringing  ^ealt^§. 


Ghost  of  the  King  a^<)roac^e§  t^e  ©cntinel,  anb  frightens  him,  and 
exit. 

Second  Sent.  O  fjolt)  Slnt^ont)  of  ^abUa— befenb  me!  ^  fee  nolo  lo^at 
ml)  comrabe  of^erteb  to  me.  D  Saint  55eltcn  if  ml)  fir§t  luotcf)  lucre  onll) 
ii^  ^  moDlb  tafe  to  ml)  f)eel§  life  o  lifter.  S  hiif^  S  ^ab  o  §toD^  of 
mine  from  t^e  Sing'g  boarb  to  quenct)  tl)c  ^cat  onb  fear  in  ml)  ©ooL 

[G/io^/  comcj*  t//*  fet-Ztrnd  him — and  strikes  him  a  blow  on  the  ear. 
(Sentinel  fling§  bomn  f)'\§  mU^fet.]  %t}c  ^euil  ^imfelf  U  after  me. 
S  am  too  frig^teneb  eUen  to  rOn  omal)!     [Exit.] 


1604  The  Tragicall  Historie  of  Hamlet 

Mar.     O,  farwell  honeft  fouldiers,  who  hath  relieu'd  you? 

Fran.  Barnardo  hath  my  place;  giue  you  good  night.  Exit  Fran. 

Mar.     Holla,  Barnardo. 

Bar.     Say,  what  is  Horatio  there? 

Hora.     A  peece  of  him. 

Bar.     Welcome  Horatio,  welcome  good  Marcellus, 

Hora.     What,  ha's  this  thing  appeard  againe  to  night? 

Bar.     I  haue  feene  nothing. 

Mar.  Horatio  faies  tis  but  our  fantafie, 

And  will  not  let  belief  take  holde  of  him, 

Touching  this  dreaded  fight  twice  feene  of  vs. 

Therefore  I  haue  intreated  him  along, 

With  vs  to  watch  the  minuts  of  this  night, 

That  if  againe  this  apparifion  come. 

He  may  approue  our  eyes  and  fpeake  to  it, 

Hora.     Tufh,  tufh,  twill  not  appeare. 

Bar.     Sit  downe  a  while, 
And  let  vs  once  againe  affaiile  your  eares, 
That  are  fo  fortified  againft  our  ftory, 
What  we  haue  two  nights  feene. 

Hora.     Well,  fit  we  downe, 
And  let  vs  hear  Barnardo  fpeake  of  this. 

Bar.     Last  night  of  all, 
When  yond  fame  ftarre  thats  weaftward  from  the  pole, 
Had  made  his  courfe  t'llume  that  part  of  heauen 
Where  now  it  burnes,  Marcellus  and  my  felfe 
The  bell  then  beating  one. 

Enter  Ghoft. 

Mar.     Peace,  breake  thee  of,  looke  where  it  comes  againe. 

Bar.     In  the  fame  figure  like  the  King  that's  dead. 

Mar.     Thou  are  a  fchoUer,  fpeake  to  it  Horatio. 

Bar.     Lookes  a  not  like  the  King?     Marke  it  Horatio. 

Hora.     Moft  like,  it  horrowes  me  with  feare  and  wonder. 

Bar.     It  would  be  fpoke  to 

Mar.     Speak e  to  it,  Horatio. 

Hora.     What  art  thou  that  vfurpft  this  time  of  night. 
Together  with  that  faire  and  warlike  forme. 


lo  The  Tragicall  Historie  of  Hamlet  TJr-Hamlet 

Second  Sentinel     SS^o'S  tl^erc? 
Horatio.    2:i^c  9ioUnb§, 
Second  Sentinel     fBffkff? 
Horatio,    9Roin  JRoUnb« 

Second  Sentinel  <Btanh  SSatcl^*  ©or^joral  forhiarb,  ©l^oblbcr  onnS, 
Enter  [Francisco  and  Watch.  They  give  the  word  from  the  other  side. 

Horatio.  (Senttnel,  loo!  hjcll  io  i|oDr  po\t;  pttffaps  tf^t  prince 
l^itttfei^If  matf  go  tf)t  rolinbs.  $e  cabgl^t  fleecing  anb  it  mat^  coft  ^ot) 
))ol)r  l^eab. 

Second  Sentinel  ^  h»if^  t^c  \of}oU  compant^  hjcrc  ^cre.  9Jot  o 
won  of  i^cm  hjoiilb  go  to  flcc^;  for  mt)  paxt  ^  ntljft  citl^cr  6c  rclicueb, 
or  run  atoa'q,  anb  ht  l^angeb  to^utorrom* 

Horatio.     SBl^i). 

Second  Sentinel  £)ff,  nttj  goob  Sorb,  there's  a  gl^oft  fftxe,  to^ic^  o^» 
<)cor§  cucri)  qijortcr  of  on  l^oljr;  it  ]^o§  fo  6rofen  nte  Up  tf^at  ^  ^ob  o§ 
licf  6c  in  ^Urgotori). 

Francisco.    %fii§  i§  jbft  tn^ot  t^e  loft  fcntinci  l^o§  tolb  ntc. 

Second  Sentinel  ^t)c,  ot)c,  onll)  fto|)  o  bit,  ^t  toon^t  !cc<)  otoo^ 
long.  [Ghost  passes  across  the  stage. 

Horatio.  On  mtf  life  it  i§  o  g^oft,  onb  Ioo!§  jD^t  life  t^c  lotc  ^ing 
of  ^cnntorf. 

Francisco,  ^c  6eor§  i^intfelf  fobli),  onb  fecm§  a§  if  ^c  hioDlb  fo^ 
j^ontetl^ing. 

Horatio.    X^l^erc  i§  fontc  nitiftcri)  ^erc. 


1604  The  Tragicall  Historie  of  Hamlet  1 1 

In  which  the  Maieftie  of  buried  Denmarke 

Did  fometimes  march,  by  heauen  I  charge  three  Speake. 

Mar.     It  is  offended. 

Bar.     See   it  Itaukes   away. 


Hora.     Stay,  fpeake,  fpeake,  I  charge  thee  fpeake,  Exit  Ghoft. 

Mar.     Tis  gone  and  will  not  anfwere. 

Bar.     How  now  Horatio,  you  tremble  and  looke  pale, 
Is  not  this  fomthing  more  than  phantafie? 
What  thinke  you-ont? 

Hora.     Before  my  God  I  might  not  this  belieue, 
Without  the  fencible  and  true  auouch 
Of  mine  owne  eies. 

Mar.     Is  it  not  like  the  King? 

Hora.     As  thou  art  to  thy  felfe, 
Such  was  the  very  Armor  he  had  on. 
When  he  the  ambitious  Norway  combated, 
So  frowned  he  once,  when  in  an  angry  parle 
He  fmot  the  Headed  poUax  on  the  ice. 
Tis  ftrange. 

Mar.    Thus  twice  before,  and  iump  at  this  dead  houre. 
With  martiall  ftauke  hath  he  gone  by  our  watch. 

Hora.     In  what  perticular  thought,  to  worke  I  know  not, 
But  in  the  grof fe  and  fcope  of  mine  opinion. 
This  bodes  fome  ftrange  eruption  to  our  ftate. 

Mar.     Good  now  fit  downe,  and  tell  me  that  knowes. 
Why  this  fame  ftrikt  and  moft  obferuant  watch 
So  nightly  toiles  the  fubied  of  the  land. 
And  with  fuch  dayly  coft  of  brazon  Canon 
And  forraine  marte,  for  implements  of  warre, 
Why  fuch  impreffe  of  fhip-writes,  whofe  fore  taske 
Does  not  deuide  the  Sunday  from  the  weeke, 
What  might  be  toward  that  this  fweaty  haft 
Doth  make  the  night  ioynt  labourer  with  the  day. 
Who  ift  that  can  informe  mee? 


12  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  Ur-Hamlet 


1604  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  13 

Hora.     That  can  I. 
At  leaft  the  whifper  goes  fo ;   our  laft  King, 
Whofe  image  euen  but  now  apear'd  to  vs, 
Was  as  you  knowe  by  Fortinbraffe  of  Norway, 
Thereto  prickt  on  by  a  moft  emulate  pride 
Dar'd  to  the  combat ;   in  which  our  vaHant  Hamlet, 
(For  fo  this  fide  of  our  knowne  world  ef teemed  him) 
Did  ffay  this  Fortinbraffe,  who  by  a  feald  compad 
Well  ratified  by  lawe  and  heraldy 
Did  forfait   (with  his  life)   all  thefe  his  lands 
Which  he  ftood  feaz'd  of,  to  the  conquerour. 
Againft  the  which  a  moitie  competent. 
Was  gaged  by  our  King,  which  had  returne 
To  the  inheritance  of  Fortinbraffe, 
Had  he  bin  vanquifher ;   as  by  the  fame  comart 
And  carriage  of  the  article  deffeigne, 
His  fell  to  Hamlet ;  now  Sir,  young  Fortinbraffe 
Of  vnimprooued  mettle,  hot  and  full, 
Hath  in  the  skirts  of  Norway  heere  and  there 
Sharkt  up  a  lift  of  lawleffe  refolutes 
For  foode  and  diet  to  fome  enterprife. 
That  hath  a  ftomacke  in't,  which  is  no  other 
As  it  doth  well  appeare  vnto  our  ftate 
But  to  recouer  of  vs  by  ftrong  hand 
And  tearmes  compulfatory,  thofe  forefaid  lands 
So  by  his  father  loft ;   and  this  I  take  it. 
Is  the  maine  motiue  of  our  preparations 
The  fource  of  this  our  watch,  and  the  chiefe  head 
Of  this  poft  haft  and  Romadge  in  the  land. 

Bar.     I  thinke  it  be  no  other,  but  enfo ; 
Well  may  it  fort  that  this  portentious  figure 
Comes  armed  through  our  watch  fo  like  the  King 
That  was  and  is  the  queftion  of  thefe  warres, 

Hora.     A  moth  it  is  to  trouble  the  mindes  eyes: 
In  the  moft  high  and  palmy  ftate  of  Rome, 
A  little  ere  the  mightieft  Julius  fell 
The  graucs  ftood  tcnnatlcffc.  and  the  fheetcd  dead 


14  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  TJr-Hamlet 


1604  The  Tragicall  Historie  of  Hamlet  15 

Did  fqueake  and  gibber  in  the  Roman  ftreets. 
As  ftarres  with  traines  of  fier,  and  dewes  of  blood 
Difafters  in  the  f utnne ;   and  the  moift  ftarre, 
Vpon  whofe  influence  Neptiines  Empire  ftands, 
Was  ficke  almoft  to  doomefday  with  eclipfe. 
And  euen  the  like  precurfe  of  feare  euents 
As  harbindgers  preceading  ftill  the  fates 
And  prologue  to  the  Omen  comming  on 
Haue  heauen  and  earth  together  demonftrated 
Vnto  our  Qimatures  and  countrymen. 

Enter  Ghoft. 
But  foft,  behold,  loe  where  it  comes  againe 

He  croffe  it  though  it  blaft  mee;    ftay  illufion,  It  fpreads 

If  thou  haft  any  found  or  vfe  of  voyce,  his  armes. 

Speake  to  me,  if  there  be  any  good  thing  to  be  done 
That  may  to  thee  doe  eafe,  and  grace  to  mee, 
Speake  to  me. 

If  thou  art  priuie  to  thy  countries  fate 
Which  happily  foreknowing  may  auoyd 
O   fpeake: 

Or  if  thou  haft  vphoorded  in  thy  life 
Extorted  treafure  in  the  wombe  of  earth 

For  which  they  fay  your  fpirits  oft  walke  in  death.         The  cocke 
Speake  of  it,  ftay  and  feake,  ftop  it  Marcellus.  crowes 

Mar.     Shall  I  ftrikee  it  with  my  partizan? 

Hot.     Doe  if  it  will  not  ftand. 

Bar.     Tis  heere. 

Hot.     Tis  heere. 

Mar.     Tis  gone. 
We  doe  it  wrong  being  fo  Maiefticall 
To  offer  it  the  fhowe  of  violence, 
For  it  is  as  the  ayre,  invulnerable, 
And  our  vaine  blowes  malicious  mockery. 

Bar.     It  was  about  to  fpeake  when  the  cock  crewe. 

Hot.     And  then  it  ftarted  like  a  g^lty  thing, 
Vpon  a  fearfull  fummons ;    I  haue  heard. 
The  Cock  that  is  the  trumpet  to  the  morne, 


i6  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  Ur-Hamlet 


King,  mtf\o\}^f\  our  Brother's  bcot^  i§  ftill  bce^  in  nil  olir  tncnt- 
oxk§,  onb  alt^oDg^  cDftom  required  D§  to  go  into  ntoDrning  nnb  fjolb 
no  ftote  paQtant§  or  ceremonials  loe  Ijane  tf)oDg^t  6eft  io  neuertl)elef§ 
c^onge  our  fomfire  funeral  fuit^  (or  mt§  of  crimfon,  ^Ur^le  onb 
fcorlct  ficcaufc  ntt)  iatc  bxoti)cx^§  luiboiu  t\a§  become  mi)  moft  bear 
confort  anb  hiifc. 


1604  The  Tragicall  Historie  of  Hamlet  17 

Doth  with  his  lofty  and  fhrill  founding  throat 
Awake  the  God  of  day,  and  at  his  warning 
Whether  in  fea  or  fire,  in  earth  or  ayre 
Th'extrauagant  and  erring  fpirit  hies 
To  his  confine,  and  of  the  truth  heerein 
This  prefent  objed  made  probation. 

Mar.     It  faded  on  the  crowing  of  the  Cock, 
Some  fay  that  euer  gainft  that  feafon  comes 
Wherein  our  Sauiours  birth  is  celebrated 
This  bird  of  dawning  fingeth  all  night  Hong, 
And  then   they   fay  no  fpirit  dare   fturre  abroade 
The  nights  are  wholefome,  then  no  plannets  ftrike, 
No  fairy  takes,  nor  witch  hath  power  to  charme 
So  hallowed,  and  fo  gratious  is  that  time. 

Hora.     So  haue  I  heard  and  doe  in  part  belieue  it, 
But  looke  the  morne  in  ruffet  mantle  clad 
Walkes  ore  the  dewe  of  yon  high  Eaftward  hill 
Breake  we  our  watch  vp  and  by  my  aduife 
Let  vs  impart  what  we  haue  feene  to  night 
Vnto  young  Hamlet,  for  vppon  my  life 
This  fpirit  dumb  to  vs,  will  fpeake  to  him: 
Doe  you  confent  we  fhall  acquaint  him  with  it 
As  needful  in  our  loues,  fitting  our  duty. 

Mar.     Lets  doo't  I  pray,  and  I  this  morning  knowe 
Where  we  fhall  find  him  moft  conuenient.  Exeunt,  cq^ 

Florifh.     Enter  Claudius,  King  of  Denmarke,  Gertradthe  Queene, 

Counfaile:  as  Polomus,  and  his  Sonne  Laertes, 

Hamlet,  Cum  Alys. 

Claud.     Though  yet  of  Hamlet  our  deare  brothers  death 
The  memorie  be  greene,  and  that  its  befitted 
To  beare  our  harts  in  griefe,  and  our  whole  Kingdome, 
To  be  contraded  in  one  browe  of  woe 
Yet  fo  farrc  hath  difcretion  fought  with  nature. 
That  we  with  wifeft  forrowe  thinke  on  him 
Together  with  remembrance  of  our  felues : 
Therefore  our  fomctime  Sifter,  now  our  Queene 


l8  The  Tra^icall  Historic  of  Hamlet  Ur-Hamlet 


£ct  cttcr^  one  t^cn  6c  cheerful  anb  mate  fcftiuot  toitff  US. 


1604  The  Tragicall  Historie  of  Hamlet  19 

Th'imperiall  ioyntreffe  to  this  warlike  ftate 

Haue  we  as  twere  with  a  defeated  ioy 

With  an  aufpitious,  and  a  dropping  eye, 

With  mirth  in  funerall,  and  with  dirdge  in  marriage, 

In  equal  fcale  waighing  delight  and  dole 

Taken  to  wife :  nor  haue  we  heerein  bard 

Your  better  wifdomes,  which  haue   freely  gone 

With  this  affaire  along  (for  all  our  thankes) 

Now  followes  that  you  knowe  young  Fortinbrajfe, 

Holding  a  weake  fuppofall  of  our  worth 

Or  thinking  by  our  late  deare  brothers  death 

Our  ftate  to  be  difioynt,  and  out  of  frame 

Coleagued  with  this  dreame  of  his  aduantage 

He  hath  not  faild  to  peftur  vs  with  meffage 

Importing  the  furrender  of  thofe  lands 

Loft  by  his  father,  with  all  bands  of  lawe 

To  our  moft  valiant  brother,  fo  much  for  him : 

Now  for  our  felfe,  and  for  this  time  of  meeting, 

Thus  much  the  bufines  is,  we  haue  heere  writ 

To  Norway  Vncle  of  young  Fortenbraffe 

Who  impotent  and  bedred  fcarcely  heares 

Of  this  his  Nephewes  purpofe;  to  fuppreffe 

His  further  gate  heerein,  in  that  the  leuies, 

The  lifts,  and  full  proportions  are  all  made 

Out  of  his  fubied,  and  we  heere  dif patch 

You  good   Cornelius,  and  you   VaHemand, 

For  bearers  of  this  greeting  to  old  Norway, 

Giuing  to  you  no  further  perfonall  power 

To  bufiness  with  the  King,  more  then  the  fcope 

Of  thefe  delated  articles  allowe: 

Farwell,  and  let  your  haft  commend  your  dutie. 

Cor.     Vo.     In  that,  and  all  things  will  we  fhowe  our  dutie. 

Kinfr.     We  doubt  it  nothing,  hartely  farwell. 
And  now  La-ertcs  whats  the  newes  with  you? 
You  told  vs  of  fome   fute,  what  ift  Laertes? 
You  cannot  fpeake  of  reafon  to  the  Dane 
And  lofe  your  voyce ;   what  wold'ft  thoui  begge  LaertesT 


20  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  Ur-Hamlet 

King.  Sitt  fttt),  (Jorninbii§,  Ijolu  i§  it  luttf)  i|oitr  fon  £con^arbu§? 
$a8  ^c  olrcabti  fct  out  for  J^rnncc? 

Corambvs.    %\)i,  m\)  grocioUS  i*orb  anb  Sing,  ^c  ^a§  gone  alreabt). 

King.    S5lit  i§  t^i§  luitl)  Dour  confcnt? 

Corambvs.  5ll)c — ll^j^cr  Gonfcnt,  9JJtbbIc  Gonfcnt,  anb  fiottjcr  6on= 
fcnt!  Ot  ?)onr  |»ig]^ncf'5,  f)c  ^a§  got  an  ejtraorbinarl),  noble,  excellent, 
arCb  glortol)§  confent  front  tne. 

King.  9l§  ^c  ^a§  i)oUr  Gonfent,  fo  ntot)  it  go  hiell  toit^  tne,  onb 
matf  bring  \i\m  fafe  bacf  again  to  1)S. 


S5tit  t)oti,  prince  ^ontlet,  hjc  hiif^  tjob  ntoft  of  oil  in  be  conienteb.  ®ee 
i)o\o  's)ts\ix  mother  grieues  anb  is  renbereb  un^a^|)t)  bt)  tjoUr  conftant 
tnelanc^olt).  SBe  ^auc  Ijeorb  too  t^ot  t)ou  ^aue  bctermineb  to  return  to 
t^e  Uniucrfitl)  of  SBittenbUrg.  3Sc  |)ral)  t)oli  for  t)0Ur  mother's  fofe  to 
abonbon  fUc^  on  intention.  9ientain  ^erc  at  oUr  coUrt,  me  ^iraii  ^ob. 
{^or  ttie  (one  \)o\i  anb  (one  to  ^aue  ))oU  near  bS,  anb  are  foItcitobS 
tl^at  no  ntifcljance  befall  t|ou.  Or  if  ))ob  xo\\\)  not  to  fee^  tjobrfelf  at 
our  court,  go  to  ijotjr  ^erebitort)  Singbom  of  SfJortoo^, 


1604  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  21 

That  fhall  not  be  my  offer,  not  thy  asking, 
The  head  is  not  more  natiue  to  the  liart 
The  hand  more  inftrumentall  to  the  mouth 
Then  is  the  throne  of  Denmarke  to  thy  father, 
What  would'ft  thou  haue  Laertes? 

Laer.     My  dread  Lord, 
Your  leaue  and  fauor  to  returne  to  Fraunce, 
From  whence,  though  wilHngly  I  came  to  Denmarke, 
To  f howe  my  dutie  in  your  Coronation ; 
Yet  now  I  muft  confeffe,  that  duty  done 
My  thoughts  and  wifhes  bend  againe  toward  Fraunce 
And  bowe  them  to  your  gracious  leaue  and  pardon. 

King.     Haue  you  your  fathers  leaue,  what  faies  Polonius? 

Palo.     Hath  my  Lord  wroung  from  me  my  flowe  leaue 
By  labour fome  petition,  and  at  laft 
Vpon  his  will  I  feald  my  hard  confent, 


I  doe  befeech  you  giue  him  leaue  to  goe. 

King.     Take  thy  faire  houre  Laertes,  time  be  thine 
And  thy  beft  graces  fpend  it  at  thy  will : 
But  now  my  Cofin  Hamlet,  and  my  fonne. 

Ham.     A  little  more  then  kin,  and  leffe  then  kind. 

King.     How  is  it  that  the  clowdes  ftill  hang  on  you. 

Ham.     Not  fo  much  my  Lord,  I  am  too  much  in  the  fonne. 

Quecne.     Good  Hamlet  caft  thy  nighted  colour  off 
And  let  thine  eye  looke  like  a  friend  on  Denmarke, 
Doe  not  for  euer  with  thy  vailed  lids 
Seeke  for  thy  noble  Father  in  the  duft, 
Thou  know'ft  tis  common  all  that  hues  muift  die, 
Pafsing  through  nature  to  eternitie. 

Ham.     I  M  add  am.  it  is  common. 

Quee.     If  it  be 
Why  fcemes  it  fo  pertSculcr  with  thee. 

Hayn.     Seemes  Maddam,  nay  it  is,  I  know  not  feemes, 
Tis  not  alone  my  incky  cloake  coold  mother 
Nor  cuftomary  fuites  of  folemble  blacke 


22 


The  Tragicall  Historie  of  Hamlet  TJr-Hamlet 


1604  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  23 

Nor  windie  fufpiration  of  forft  breath 
No,  nor  the  fruitful!  riuer  in  the  eye, 
Nor  the  dededed  hauior  of  the  vifage 
Together  with  all  formes,  moodes,  chapes  of  grief e 
That  can  deuote  me  truely,  thefe  indeede  feeme, 
For  they  are  adions  that  a  man  might  play. 
But  I  haue  that  within  which  paffes  fhowe 
Thefe  but  the  trappings  and  the  fruites  of  woe. 

King.     Tis  fweete  and  commendable  in  youir  nature  Hamlet, 
To  giue  thefe  mourning  duties  to  your  father 
But  you  muft  knowe  your  father  loft  a  father, 
That  father  loft,  loft  his,  and  the  furuiuer  bound 
In  filliall  obligation  for  fome  tearme 
To  doe  obfequious  forrowe,  but  to  perfeuer 
In  obftinate  condolement,  is  a  courfe 
Of  impious  ftubbornes,  tis  vnmanly  griefe. 
It  fhowes  a  will  moft  incorred  to  heauen 
A  hart  vnfortified.  or  minde  impatient 
An  vnderftanding  fimple  and  vnfchoold 
For  what  we  knowe  muft  be,  and  is  as  common 


As  any  the  moft  vulgar  thing  to  fence. 
Why  fhou'ld  we  in  our  peuifh  oppofition 
Take  it  to  hart,  fie,  tis  a  fault  to  heauen, 
A  fault  againft  the  dead,  a  fault  to  nature, 
To  reafon  moft  abfurd,  whofe  common  theame 
Is  death  of  fathers,  and  who  ftill  hath  cryed 
From  the  firft  courfe,  till  he  that  died  to  day 
This  muft  be  fo:  we  pray  you  throw  to  earth 
This  vnpreuailing  woe,  and  thinke  of  vs 
As  of  a  father,  for  let  the  world  take  note 
You  are  the  moft  imediate  to  our  throne, 
And  with  no  leffe  nobilitie  of  loue 
Then  that  which  deareft  father  beares  his  fonne, 
Doe  I  impart  toward  you  for  your  intent 
I 


24  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  Ur-Hamlet 

Qiieen,  9Dit)  inlicf)  ficloitcb  fon,  "prince  Apamlct,  it  grcotti)  oftontf^cS 
mt  tffai  tfo\)  I)aMc  bcctbcb  to  Icauc  u§  Ijcrc,  nnb  to  httate  ijourfcif  to 
SBittcnOcrg.  Xf}o\)  fnoiucft  lucU  tf^at  luc  nioUrii  i)oDr  rot)at  father  fo 
Ictcit)  beob,  anb  tijat,  if  l)oD  Icouc  li^,  it  imll  obb  to  oUr  grief-  2)corcft 
fott,  t^cn  rcOToin  f)crc,  anb  bcmanb  loitfjoDt  rcftraint  UJ^otfocucr  maij 
^itcttfc  onb  beHgf)t  tjoU. 

Hamlet.  ^  iuid  o6cl}  ijoD  luitf)  alf  tnt)  ^cart,  onb  hjill  rcmoin» 
/Ctn^.  2)0  fo,  bcnrcft  1|>rincc.  58c  fjanc,  fjolueucr,  bctermincb 
io  l^olb  0  caroljfc,  ju^crcfil)  olir  bcoreft  f^oufc  mot)  forget  ^er  mekn== 
cl^oltj.  23Dt  \}o\),  prince  gantlet,  anb  t^c  otfjcr  no6Ie§,  ntuft  f^chi 
^ol)rfefue§  d^cerfuL  ^^or  tlje  ^rcfcnt,  Ijo)ue«er,  lue  mli§t  tnafe  an  enb  of 
obr  fcftinitie§,  for  tijc  hat^  i§  coming  on  to  ^Ut  to  flight  t^e  6Iac!  nig^t. 
2;^ec,  ^oloeuer,  mi)  bcarcft  confort,  ^  mUft  foUolo  to  t}o\}v  6eb=c^am6cr. 

6omc,  let  b§,  ^anb  in  ^anb  anb  arm  in  arm  cmfiroce. 
Gnfo^ing  tlje  fluect  ^jlcbgc  of  i^uiet  tone  a  f^joce. 


1604  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  2$ 

In  going  back  to  fchoole  in  Wittenberg. 
It  is  moft  retrogard  to  our  defire. 
And  we  befeech  you  bend  you  to  remaine 
Heere  in  the  cheare  and  comfort  of  our  eye, 
Our  chiefeft  courtier,  cofin,  and  our  fonne. 

Quee.     Let  not  thy  mother  loofe  her  prayers  Hamlet, 
I  pray  thee  ftay  with  vs,  goe  not  to  Wittenberg. 

HajH.     1  fhall  in  all  my  beft  obay  you  Madam. 

King.     Why  tis  a  louing  and  a  faire  reply, 
Be  as  our  felfe  in  Denmarke,  Madam  come, 
This  gentle  and  vnforc'd  accord  of  Hamlet 
Sits  fmiling  to  my  hart,  in  grace  whereof. 
No  iocond  health  that  Denmarke  drinkes  to  day, 
But  the  great  Cannon  to  the  clouds  fhall  tell. 
And  the  Kings  rowfe  the  heauen  fhall  brute  againe, 
Refpeaking  earthly  thunder ;  come  away.    Florifh.  Exeunt  all. 

Ham.     O  that  this  too  too  fallied  flefh  would  melt,      but  Hamlet. 
Thaw  and  refolue  it  felfe  into  a  dewe, 
Or  that  the  euerlafting  had  not  fixt 
His  cannon  gainft  feale  flaughter,  o  God,  God, 
How  wary,  ftale,  flat,  and  vnprofitable 
Seeme  to  me  all  the  vfes  of  this  world? 
Fie  on't,  ah  fie,  tis  an  vnweeded  garden 
That  growes  to  feede,  things  rancke  and  grofe  in  nature, 
Poffeffe  it  meerely  that  it  fhoudd  come  thus 


But  two  months  dead,  nay  not  fo  much,  not  two. 
So  excellent  a  King,  that  was  to  this 
Hiperion  to  a  fatire,  fo  louing  to  my  mother, 
That  he  might  not  beteeme  the  winds  of  heauen 
Vifite  her  face  too  roughly,  heauen  and  earth 
Muft  I  remember,  why  fhe  fhould  hang  on  him 
As  if  increafc  of  appetite  had  growne 
By  what  it  fed  on,  and  yet  within  a  month, 
Let  me  not  thinke  on't;    frailty  thy  name  is  woman 
A  little  month  or  ere  thofe  fhooes  were  old 


26  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  Ur-Hamlet 


King,  ^corcft  confort,  l^ohi  conic§  it  t^ot  ijoti  ore  fo  fab.  Dob 
are  obr  Dtjccn.  SSc  louc  tjoU,  anb  all  t^c  Hngbottt  is  ijoUtS.  SS^at  is 
U  t^at  trobbIc§  t^o))? 

Queen,  ^tj  ^tng,  ^  am  grcatli)  trobfikb  at  t^e  mclanc^olt)  of  mt> 
fo«  ^amltt    ^c  is  mi)  onii)  prince;  anb  t^i§  it  is  tffat  paxn^  mt. 

King,  ©tin  jticIanc^oHj?  583c  h)i«  call  in  all  t^c  toifeft  )>^t)ficionS 
«f  our  realm,  t^at  t^ctj  mat)  rclicnc  f^im. 


Second  Sentinel     SS^o*§  t^crc? 

Hnmlet,    ^tjf^! 

5'fconc?  Sentinel,    SS^o'S  t^cre? 

Hamlet,     -I^Uf^! 

5'^fonrf  Sentinel,    Slnftocr,  or  S^I  tcac^  t)oD  Better  manners, 

Hamlet,    21  fricnb, 

6'^cowrf  Sentinel,     SS^at  frienb? 

Hamlet,    ^xitnh  to  t^e  fingbom. 

Francisco,    25ij  ntt)  life  it  iS  t^c  prince. 

Horatio,    ?)ot)r  ^ig^nefs— iS  it  ijoU  or  not? 

Hamlet,    SS^at!  i)oU  ^ere,  ^oratio?    ^f^at  Brings  i)oD? 


1604  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  27 

With  which  fhe  followed  my  poore  fathers  bodie 

Like  Niohe  all  teares,  why  fhe 

O  God,  a  beaft  that  wants  difcourfe  of  reafon 

Would  haue  mourn'd  longer,  married  with  my  Vncle, 

My  fathers  brother,  but  no  more  like  my  father 

Then  I  to  Hercules,  within  a  month, 

Ere  yet  the  fait  of  moft  vnrighteous  teares. 

Had  left  the  flufhing  in  her  gauled  eyes 

She  married,  o  moft  wicked  fpeede ;   to  poft 

With  fuch  dexteritie  to  inceftious  fheets. 

It  is  not,  nor  it  cannot  come  to  good. 

But  breake  my  hart,  for  I  muft  hold  my  tongue. 


Enter  Horatio,  Marcellus,  and  Bernardo. 

Mora.     Haile  to  your  Lx)rdfhip. 

Ham.     I  am  glad  to  fee  you  well ;  Horatio,  or  I  do  forget  my  felfe. 

Hora.    The  fame  my  Lord,  and  your  poore  feruant  euer. 

Ham.     Sir  my  good  friend.  He  cliange  that  name  with  you, 
And  what  make  you  from  Wittetiberg  Horatio? 
Marcellus. 

Mar.     My  good  Lord. 

Ham.     I  am  very  glad  to  fee  you,  (good  euen  fir) 
But  what  in  faith  make  you  from  Wittenberg? 

Hora.     A  truant  difpofition  good  my  Lord. 

Hann.     I  would  not  heare  your  enimie  fay  fo, 
Nor  fhall  you  doe  my  eare  that  violence 
To  make  it  trufter  of  yotw  owne  report 
Againft  your  felfe,  I  knowe  you  are  no  truant, 
But  what  is  your  affaire  in  Elfonoure? 
Weele  teach  you  for  to  drinke  ere  you  depart. 


28  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  Ur-Hamlet 


Horatio,  globr  ^ig^ncfs,  ^  ^ouc  gone  if^t  wbnbg  U  fee  t^ni  cucr^ 
•lie  xi  Hi  ^tiS  ^oft. 

Hamlet,  %iioi^»  life  an  ^oneft  fotbier:  for  on  i)ob  refts  t^e  fofetlj 
of  t^e  ^tng  anb  !tngbont« 

Horatio,  Dotr  ^ig^nefs,  a  ftrange  t^tng  ^aS  ^a^;))eneb.  92egt)IatI)) 
titer))  fftiarter  of  an  ^olir  a  g^oft  a^^iears;  anb,  to  m\)  ntinb,  ^e  i§  uer)| 
life  i%t  late  ^ing— ijo^r  fetter,   ^e  frightens  t^c  fentinels  terriftlt). 


1604  The  Tragicall  Historie  of  Hamlet  29 

Hora.     My  Lord,  I  came  to  fee  your  fathers  funerall. 

Ham.     I  pre  thee  doe  not  mocke  me  fellowe  ftudient, 
I  thinke  it  was  to  my  mothers  wedding. 

Hora.     Indeede  my  Lord  it  followed  hard  vppon. 

Ham.     Thrift,  thrift,  Horatio,  the  funerall  ba'kt  meates 
Did  coldly  furnifh  forth  the  marriage  tables. 
Would  I  had  met  my  deareft  foe  in  heauen 
Or  euer  I  had  feene  that  day  Horatio, 
My  father,  me  thinks  I  fee  my  father. 

Hora.     Where  my  Lord? 

Ham.     In  my  mindes  eye  Horatio. 

Hora.     I  faw  him  once,  a  was  a  goodly  King. 

Ham.     A  was  a  man  take  him  for  all  in  all 
I  fhall  not  looke  vppon  his  like  againe. 

Hora^     My  Lord  I  thinke  I  faw  him  yefternight. 

Ham.     faw,  who? 

Hora.     My  Lord  the  King  your  father. 

Ham.     The  King  my  father? 

Hora.     Seafon  your  admiration  for  a  while 
With  an  attent  care  till  I  may  deliuer 
Vppon  the  witnes  of  thefe  gentlemen 
This  maruil  to  you. 

Ham-.     For  Gods  loue  let  me  heare? 

Hora.     Two  nights  together  had  thefe  gentlemen 
Marcellus,  and  Barnardo,  on  their  watch 
In  the  dead  waft  and  middle  of  the  night 
Beene  thus  incountred,  a  figure  like  your  father 
Armed  at  poynt,  exadly  Capapea 
Appeares  before  them,  and  with  folemn  march. 
Goes  flowe  anad  ftately  by  them ;  thrice  he  walkt 
By  their  oppreft  and  feare  furprifcd  eyes 
Within  his  tronchions  length,  whil'ft  they  diftil'd 
Almoft  to  gelly,  with  the  ad  of  feare 
Stand  dumbe  and  fj^eake  not  to  him ;  this  to  me 
In  drcadfull  fecrefie  impart  they  did. 
And  I  with  them  the  third  night  kept  the  watch, 
Whereas  they  had  deliuered  both  in  time 


30  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  TJr-Hamlet 


Hamlet,  ^  ^opt  not,  for  t^c  foUtS  of  ti)e  goob  reft  iiuictllj  till  tljc 
time  of  tl^eir  refurrection. 

Horatio,    Det,  fo  it  i§.  ^'uc  fecn  it  mtifclf, 

Francisco,    9lttb  f)t  5o§  frigf)teneb  tnc,  ?)ol>r  ^igl^nefS. 

Second  Sentinel    Stnb  fft  ^o§  giuen  me  a  605  on  t^t  ear. 

Hamlet,     SS^ot  i§  t^c  time? 

Francisco,    9Ribttig^t. 

Hamlet,  (^oohl—it  i§  jtjft  t^c  time  to^cn  g^ofts,  toljcn  t^eij  toalt, 
lone  to  fl^om  t^emfelueS. 


1604  The  Tragicall  Historie  of  Hamlet  31 

Forme  of  the  thing-,  each  word  made  true  and  good, 
The  Apparifion  comes ;  I  knewe  your  father, 


Thefe  hands  are  not  more  Hke. 

Ham.     But  where  was  this? 

Mar.     My  Lord,  vppon  the  platforme  where  we  watch. 

Ham.     Did  you  not  fpeake  to  it  ? 

Hora.     My  Lord  I  did. 
But  anfwer  made  it  none,  yet  once  me  thought 
It  Hfted  vp  its  head,  and  did  addreffe 
Itfelfe  to  motion  like  as  it  would  fpeake: 
But  euen  then  the  morning  Cock  crewe  loude. 
And  at  the  found  it  fhrunk  in  haft  away 
And  vanifht  from  our  fight. 

Ham.     Tis  very  ftrange. 

Hora.     As  I  doe  Hue  my  honor'd  Lord  tis  true 
And  we  did  thinke  it  writ  downe  in  our  dutie 
To  let  you  knowe  of  it. 

Ham.     Indeede  Sirs  but  this  troubles  me, 
Hold  you  the  watch  to  night? 

All.     We  doe  my  Lord. 

Ham.     Arm'd  fay  you? 

All.     Arm'd  my  Lord. 

Ham.     From  top  to  toe? 

All.     My  Lord  from  head  to  foote. 

Ham,    Then  fawe  you  not  his  face 

Hora.     O  yes  my  Lord,  he  wore  his  beauer  vp. 

Ham.     What  look't  he  frowningly? 

Hora.     A  countenance  more  in  forrow  than  in  anger. 

Ham.     Pale,  or  red  ? 

Hora.     Nay  very  pale. 

Ham.     And  fixt  his  eyes  vpon  you? 

Hora.     Moft  conftantly. 

Ham.     I  would  I  had  beene  there. 

Hora.     It  would  haue  much  a  maz'd  you. 

Ham.     Very  like,  ftayd  it  long? 


32 


The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  Ur-Hainlet 


1604  The  Tragicall  Historie  of  Hamlet  33 

Hora.  While  one  with  moderate  haft  might  tell  a  hundreth. 

Both.  Longer,  longer. 

Ho-ra.  Not  when  I  faw't. 

Ham.  His  beard  was  grifsl'd,  no. 

Hora.  It  was  as  I  haue  feene  it  in  his  life 

A  fable  filuer'd. 


Ham.     I  wiHl  watch  to  night 
Perchance  twill  walke  againe. 

Hora.     I  wam't  it  will. 

Ham.     If  it  affume  my  noble  fathers  perfon, 
He  fpeake  to  it  though  hell  itfelfe  fhould  gape 
And  bid  me  hold  my  peace ;  I  pray  you  all 
If  you  haue  hetherto  conceald  this  fight 
Let  it  be  tenable  in  your  filence  ftill, 
And  what  fomeuer  els  fhall  hap  to  night, 
Giue  it  an  vnderftanding  but  no  tongue, 
I  will  requite  your  loues,  fo  farre  you  well : 
Vppon  the  platforme  twixt  a  leauen  and  twelfe 
Ik  vifite  you. 

All.    Our  dutie  to  your  honor.  Exeunt. 

Ham.     Your  loues,  as  mine  to  you,  farwell, 
My  fathers  fpirit  (in  armes)  all  is  not  well, 
I  doubt  fome  foule  play,  would  the  night  were  come, 
Til  then  fit  ftill  my  foule,  fonde  deeds  will  rife 
Though  all  the  earth  ore-whelme  them  to  mens  eyes.        Exit. 

Enter  Laertes,  and  Ophelia  his  Sister. 

Laer.     My  neceffaries  are  inbarckt,  farwell, 
And  fifter,  as  the  winds  giue  benefit 
And  conuay,  in  afsiftant  doe  not  fleepe 
But  let  me  heere  from  you. 

Ophe.     Doe  you  doubt  that? 

Laer.     For  Hamlet,  and  the  trifling  of  his  fauour, 
Hold  it  a  fafhion,  and  a  toy  in  blood 


34 


The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  Ur-Hamlet 


1604  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  35 

A  Violet  in  the  youth  of  primy  nature, 
Forward,  not  permanent,  fweete,  not  lafting, 
The  perfume  and  fuppHance  of  a  minute 
No  more. 

Ophe.     Not  more  but  fo. 

Laer.     Thinke  it  no  more. 
For  nature  creffant  does  not  growe  alone 
In  thewes  and  bulkes,  but  as  this  temple  waxes 
The  inward  feruice  of  the  minde  and  foule 
Growes  wide  withall,  perhapes  he  loues  you  now, 
And  now  no  foyle  nor  cautell  doth  befmirch 
The  vertue  of  his  will,  but  you  muft  feare, 


His  greatnes  wayd,  his  will  is  not  his  owne, 

He  may  not  as  vnualewed  perfons  doe, 

Carue  for  himfelfe,  for  on  his  choife  depends 

The  fafty  and  health  of  this  whole  ftate, 

And  therefore  muft  his  choife  be  circumfcribd 

Vnto  the  voyce  and  yeelding  of  that  body 

Whereof  he  is  the  head,  then  if  he  faies  he  loues  you, 

It  fits  your  wifdome  fo  farre  to  belieue  it 

As  he  in  his  particuler  ad  and  place 

May  giue  his  faying  deede,  which   is  no  further 

Then  the  maane  voyce  of  Denmarke  goes  withall. 

Then  way  what  loffe  your  honor  may  fuftaine 

If  with  too  credent  eare  you  lift  his  fongs 

Or  loofe  your  hart,  or  your  chaft  treafure  open 

To  his  vnmaftred  importunity. 

Feare  it  Ophelia,  feare  it  my  dear  fifter, 

And  keepe  you  in  the  reare  of  your  affedion 

Out  of  the  fhot  and  danger  of  defire, 

"The  charieff  maide  is  prodigall  inough 

If  fhe  vnmaske  her  butJe  to  the  Moone 

"Vertue  it  felfe  f capes  not  calumnious  ftrokes 

"The  canker  gaulcs  the  infants  of  the  fpring 

Too  oft  before  their  buttons  be  difclof'd, 


-5  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  Ur-Hamlet 


1604  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  37 

And  in  the  morne  and  liquid  dewe  of  youth 
Contagious  blaftments  are  moft  iminent, 
Bewary  then,  beft  fafety  lies  in  feare, 
Youth  to  it  felfe  rebels,  though  non  els  neare. 

Ophe.     I  fhall  the  effed  of  this  good  leffon  keepe 
As  watchman  to  my  hart,  but  good  my  brother 
Does  not  as  iome  vngracious  paftors  doe, 
Showe  me  the  ftep  and  thorny  way  to  heauen. 
Whiles  a  puft,  and  reckles  libertine 
Himfelfe  the  primrofe  path  of  dalience  treads. 
And  reakes  not  his  owne  reed.  Enter  Polonius. 

Laer.     O  feare  me  not, 
I  ftay  too  long,  but  heere  my  father  comes 
A  double  blefsing,  is  a  double  grace, 
Occafion  fmiles  vpon  a  fecond  leaue. 

Pol.     Yet  heere  Laertes?     a  bord  a  bord  for  fhame, 
The  wind  fits  in  the  fhoulder  of  your  faile. 
And  you  are  ftayed  for,  there  my  blefsing  with  thee, 
And  thefe  fewe  precepts  in  thy  memory 
Looke  thou  charader,  giue  thy  thoughts  no  tongue, 
Nor  any  vnproportion'd  thought  his  ad, 
Be  thou  familiar,  but  by  no  meanes  vulgar, 
Thofe  friends  thou  haft,  and  their  a  doption  tried, 
Grapple  them  vnto  thy  foule  with  hoopes  of  fteele, 
But  doe  not  dull  thy  palms  with  entertainment 
Of  each  new  hatcht  vnfledgd  courage,  beware 
Of  entrance  to  a  quarrell,  but  being  in, 
Bear't  that  th'oppofed  may  beware  of  thee, 
Giue  euery  man  thy  eare,  but  fewe  thy  voyce, 
Take  each  mans  cenfure,  but  re  feme  thy  judgment, 
Coftly  thy  habite  as  thy  purfe  can  by. 
But  not  expreft  in  fancy  ;  rich  not  gaudy. 
For  the  apparrell  oft  proclaimes  the  man 
And  they  in  Fraunce  of  the  beft  ranck  and  ftation. 
Or  of  a  moft  feled  and  generous,  chiefe  in  that : 
Neither  a  borrower  nor  a  lender  boy. 
For  loue  oft  loofes  both  itfelfe,  and  friend, 


;/.?74 


g  The  Tragicall  Historie  of  Hamlet  TJr-Hamlet 


1604  The  Tragicall  Historie  of  Hamlet  39 

And  borrowing  dulleth  edge  of  hufbandry ; 
This  aboue  all,  to  thine  owne  felfe  be  true 
And  it  muft  followe  as  the  night  the  day 
Thou  can  ft  not  then  be  falfe  to  any  man : 
Farwell,  my  blefsing  feafon  this  in  thee. 

Laer.     Moft  humbly  doe  I  take  my  leaue  my  Lord. 

Pol.     The  time  inuefts  you  goe,  your  feruents  tend. 

Laer.     Farwell  Ophelia,  and  remember  well 
What  I  haue  fayd  to  you. 

OpJie.     Tis  in  my  memory  lockt 
And  you  yourfelfe  fhall  keepe  the  key  of  it. 

Laer.     Farwell.  Exit  Laertes. 

Pol.     What  ift  Ophelia  he  hath  fayd  to  you  ? 

Ophe.     So  pleafe  you,  fomething  touching  the  Lord  Hamlet. 

Pol.     Marry  well  bethought 
Tis  told  me  he  hath  very  oft  of  late 
Giuen  priuate  time  to  you,  and  you  yourfelfe 
Haue  of  vour  audience  beene  moft  free  and  bountious. 


If  it  be  fo,  as  fo  tis  puit  on  me. 
And  that  in  way  of  caution,  I  muft  tell  you, 
You  doe  not  vnderftand  yourfelfe  fo  cleerely 
As  it  behooues  my  daughter,  and  your  honor. 
What  is  betweene  youi  giue  me  vp  the  truth, 

Ophe.     He  hath  my  Lord  of  late  made  many  tenders 
Of  his  afFedion  to  me. 

Pol.     Affedion.  puh,  you  fpeak  like  a  greene  girle 
Vnfifted  in  fuch  perrilous  circumftance, 
Doe  you  belieue  his  tenders  as  you  call  them? 

Ophe.     I  doe  not  knowe  my  Lord  what  I  fhoudd  thinke. 

Pol.     Marry  I  will  teach  you,  thinke  yourfelfe  a  babie 
That  you  haue  tanc  thefc  tenders  for  true  pay 
Which  are  not  ftcrling,  tender  yourfelfe  more  dearly 
Or  (not  to  crack  the  windc  of  the  poore  phrafe 
Wrong  it  thus)  you'l  tender  me  a  foole. 
4 


40 


The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  Ur-Hamlet 


1604  The  TragicaU  His  tor  ie  of  Hamlet  41 

Ophe.     My  Lord  he  hath  importun'd  me  with  loue 
In  honorable  fafhion. 

Pol.     I,  fafhion  you  may  call  it,  go  to,  go  to. 

Ophe.     And  hath  giuen  countenance  to  his  fpeech 
My  Lord,  with  almoft  all  the  holy  vows  of  heauen. 

Pol.     I,  fprings  to  catch  wood-cockes,  I  doe  knowe 
When  the  blood  burnes,  hpw  prodigall  the  foule 
Lends  the  tongue  vowes,  thefe  blazes  daughter 
Giuing  more  light  than  heat,  extind  in  both 
Euen  in  their  promife,  as  it  is  a  making 
You  muft  not  take  for  fire,  from  this  time 
Be  fomething  fcanter  of  your  maiden  prefence 
Set  your  intreatments  at  a  higher  rate 
Then  a  commaund  to  parle ;  for  Lord  Hamlet, 
Belieue  fo  much  in  him  that  he  is  young, 
And  with  a  larger  tider  may  he  walke 
Then  may  be  giuen  you :  in  fewe  Ophelia, 
Doe  not  belieue  his  vowes,  for  they  are  brokers 
Not  of  that  die  which  their  inueftments  fhowe 
But  meere  imploratotors  of  vnholy  fuites 
Breathing  like  fandiified  and  pious  bonds 
The  better  to  beguide :  this  is  for  all, 
I  would  not  in  plaine  tearmes  from  this  time  foorth 


Haue  you  fo  flaunder  any  moment  leafure 

As  to  giue  words  or  talke  with  the  Lord  Hamlet, 

Looke  too't  I  charge  you,  come  your  wayes. 

Ophe.     I  fhall  obey  my  Lord.  Exeunt.  m 

Enter  Hamlet,  Horatio  and  Marcelhis. 

Ham.  The  ayre  bites  fhroudly,  it  is  very  colde. 

Hora.     It  is  nipping,  and  an  eager  ayre. 

Ham.  What  houre  now  ? 

H&ra.      I  thinke  it  lackes  of  twelfe. 

Mar.  No,  it  is  ftrooke. 


42  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  Ur-Hamlet 

%^t  <PIatform. 

[Healths  again, 
Hamlet.     |>o!— toljnt  i§  t^nt? 

Horatio. — ^  fancl)  it  \^  tl)c  6^ol)rt  ^ttll  brtnftng  l^calt^a. 
Hamlet.    9?tg||t,  .t»orntio!     *)Dit)  fiorb  onb  father  onb  Uncle  mafcS 


3[In§,  ^orntio,  ^  !nohJ  not  l^olo  it  i§  t^at  fince  m\)  fot^er*^  beat^ 
3  ttm  oltoat)^  fo  fie!  ot  l^cort;  lo^ilc  mt)  roijal  mother  \)a^  alreabt) 
forgotten  ^int,  nnb  t^c  ^ing  ftill  fooner:  for  hil^ile  ^  hio§  in  @cr= 
ntoni)  l^e  ^ob  ^imfelf  crotoneb  toit^  oil  ^aftc  in  2)enntor!,  83ot  in 
ofSUntc  fontc  fort  of  f^oto  of  title  ^e  ^o§  ntabc  oner  io  ntc  i\)t  ©roton  of 
92or)t)(U),  anb  a^^ealeb  in  ti\t  toiH  of  t^e  Stated. 


1904  The  Tragicall  Historie  of  Hamlet  43 

Hora.     Indeede ;  I  heard  it  not,  it  then  drawes  neere  the  feafon, 
Wherein  the  fpirit  held  his  wont  to  walke.        A  flourish  of  trumpets 
What  does  this  meane  my  Lord  ?  and  2  peeces  goes  of. 

Ham.     The  King,  doth  wake  to  night  and  takes  his  rowfe. 
Keepes  waf fell  and  the  fwaggering  vp-fpring  reeles : 
And  as  he  draines  his  drafts  of  Rennifh  downe, 
The  kettle  drumme,  and  trumpet,  thus  bray  out 
The  triumph  of  his  pledge. 

Hora.     Is  it  a  cuftome? 

Haryi.     I  marry  ift, 
But  to  my  minde,  though  I  am  natiue  heere 
And  to  the  manner  borne,  it  is  a  cuftome 
More  honourd  in  the  breach,  then  the  obferuence. 
This  heauy  headed  reueale  eaft  and  weft 
Makes  vs  traduft,  and  taxed  of  other  nations, 
They  clip  vs  drunkards,  and  with  Swinifh  phrafe 
Soyle  our  addition,  and  indeede  it  takes 
From  our  afchieuements,  though  perform'd  at  height 
The  pith  and  marrow  of  our  attributes, 
So  oft  it  chaunces  in  particuler  men. 
That  for  fome  vicious  mole  of  nature  in  them 
As  in  their  birth  wherein  they  are  not  guilty, 
(Since  nature  cannot  choofe  his  origin) 
By  their  ore-grow'th  of  fome  complexion 
Oft  breaking  downe  the  pales  and  forts  of  reafon, 
Or  by  fome  habit,  that  too  much  ore-leauens 
The  forms  of  plaufiue  manners,  that  thefe  men 
Carrying  I  fay  the  ftamp  of  one  defedl 
Being  Natures  liuery,  or  Fortunes  ftarre. 
His  vertues  els  be  they  as  pure  as  grace. 
As  infinite  as  man  may  vndergoe, 
Shall  in  the  generall  cenfure  take  corruption 
From  that  particuler  fault :  the  dram  of  eale 
Doth  all  the  noble  fubftance  of  a  doubt 
To  his  owne  fcandle 

Enter  Ghoft. 
Hora.     Look  my  Lord  it  comes. 


44  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  TJr-Hamlet 

Hamlet,     ^pcdtl  foil  toffo  t^oU  art,  anb  tuf^ai  if\ot)  bc§irc§t. 

Ghost,     ^omlct. 

Hnntlet,     (Sir. 

Ghost,    ^ontlct. 

Hamlet,    SB^at  befircft  if^o))? 


Second  Sentinel,     ^o! — ^cre'S  t^c  g^oft  agotn. 

Horatio,    ^ocS  ?)oUr  ^tg^nef§  fee  noto? 

Francisco,    '^otCt  Be  frtg^tcneb,  t)oUr  ^tg^nef§. 

[G/iO^^  cro^^w  f/i^  stage  and  beckons  to  Hamlet, 

Hamlet,  %fft  g^oft  BecfonS  tne.  ©entletnen,  ftanb  oftbe  ohi^ile. 
^oratto,  ho  not  go  far  atoat)  from  ^ere.  ^  totll  follotai  t^e  gl^oft  anb 
cfcertaitt  tol^at  ^c  loants.  [£;»ri^ 

Horatio,  ©ctttlcmen;  let  1j§  foHoto  l^tm  to  fee  if^at  fft  fuffer  no 
lartn.  [Exevnt,  Ghost  beckons  Hamlet  to  the  middle  of  the  stage  and 
opens  his  jaws  seueral  times. 


1604  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  45 

Ham.     Angels  and  Minifters  of  grace  defend  vs : 
Be  thou  a  Ipirit  of  health,  or  goblin  damn'd, 
Bring  with  thee  ayres  from  heauen,  or  blafts  from  hell, 
Be  thy  intents  wicked,  or  charitable, 
Thou  com'ft  fuch  a  queftionable  fhape. 
That  I  will  fpeake  to  thee,  He  call  thee  Hamlet, 
King,  father,  royall  Dane,  o  anfwere  mee, 
Let  me  not  burft  in  ignorance,  but  tell 
Why  thy  canoniz'd  bones  hearfed  in  death 
Haue  burft  their  cerements  ?  why  the  Sepulcher, 
Wherein  we  faw  thee  quietly  interr'd 
Hath  op't  his  ponderous  and  marble  iawes. 
To  caft  thee  vp  againe,  what  may  this  meane 
That  thou  dead  corfe,  againe  in  compleat  fteele 
Reuifites  thus  the  glimpfes  of  the  Moone, 
Making  night  hideous,  and  we  fooles  of  nature 
So  horridly  to  fhake  our  difpofition 
With  thoughts  beyond  the  reaches  of  our  foules, 
Say  why  is  this,  wherefore,  what  fhould  we  doe?  Beckins. 

Hora.     It  beckins  you  to  goe  away  with  it 
As  if  it  fome  impartment  did  defire 
To  you  alone. 

Mar.     Looke  with  what  curteous  adlion 
It  wanes  you  to  a  more  remooued  ground, 
But  doe  not  goe  with  it. 

Hora.     No,  by  no  meanes. 

Ham.     It  will  not  fpeake,  then  I  will  followe  it. 

Hora.     Doe  not  my  Lx)rd, 

Ham.     Why  what  fhould  be  the  feare, 
I  doe  not  fet  my  life  at  a  pinnes  fee. 
And  for  my  foule,  what  can  it  doe  to  that 
Being  a  thing  immortall  as  itfelfe; 
It  wanes  me  forth  againe.  He  followe  it. 

Hora.     What  if  it  tempt  you  toward  the  flood  my, 
Or  to  the  dreadfull  fomnet  of  the  cleefe 
That  bettles  ore  his  bafe  into  the  fea. 
And  there  affume  fome  other  horrible  forme 


46  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  TJr-Hamlet 


Ghost,  ^tar  mt,  ^amici,  for  t^c  time  appvoacf^e^  to^cn  S  m^ft 
giuc  mtifclf  had  to  t^c  piece  m^cncc  ^  ^oue  come,  ^eor  onb  gtue 
I^eeb  to  to^at  ^  fDoH  relotc. 

Hamlet,    ©peof,  t^D  beparteb  f^abc  of  mtj  roijol  Sorb  onb  fot^er. 

Ghost,  2^en  ^cor.  Son  ^omlet,  to^ot  ^  ^oue  io  tell  t)oii  i§  t^^ 
fetter's  bnnotbrot  beot^. 

Hamlet,    SB^ot!  imnotljrol  beot^! 

GAo^^    2li|!  tinnoturol  beot^!    ^nohi  t^ot  ^  ^ob  t^c  ^o6it  io  to^tclf 


1604  The  Tragicall  Historie  of  Hamlet  47 

Which  might  depriue  your  foueraigntie  of  reafon, 
And  draw  you  into  madnes,  thinke  of  it, 
The  very  place  puts  toyes  of  defperation 
Without  more  motiue,  into  euery  braine 
That  lookes  fo  many  fadoms  to  the  fea 
And  hears  it  rore  beneath. 

Ham.     It  waues  me  ftili, 
Goe  on,  He  followe  thee. 

Mar.     You  fhall  not  goe  my  Lord. 

Ham.     Hold  of  your  hands. 

Hora.     Be  rul'd,  you  fhall  not  goe. 

Ham.     My  fate  cries  out 
And  makes  each  petty  arture  in  this  body 
As  hardy  as  the  Nameon  Lyons  nerue; 
Still  am  I  cald,  vnhand  me  Gentlemen. 
By  heauen  He  make  a  ghoft  of  him  that  lets  me, 
I  fay  away,  goe  on.     He  follow  thee.  Exit  Ghoft  and  Hamlet. 

Hora.     He  waxes  defperate  with  imagion. 

Mar.     Lets  followe,  tis  not  fit  thus  to  obey  him. 

Hora.     Haue  after,  to  what  iffue  will  this  come  ? 

Mar.     Something  is  rotten  in  the  ftate  of  Denmarke, 

Hora.     Heauen  will  dired  it. 

Mar.     Nay  lets  follow  him.  Exeunt.  ^ 

Enter  Ghoft,  and  Hamlet. 

Ham.     Whether  wilt  thou  leade  me,  fpeake.  He  go  no  further, 

Ghoft. — Marke   me. 

Ham.     I  will. 

Ghoft.     My  houre  is  almoft  come 
When  I  to  fulphrus  and  tormenting  flames. 
Muit  render  vp  my  felfe. 

Ham.     Alas  poore  Ghoft. 


48  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  TJr-Hamlet 


1604  The  Tragicall  Historie  of  Hamlet  49 

Ghoft.     Pitty  me  not,  but  leend  they  ferious  hearing 
To  what  I  fhall  vnfold. 

Ham.     Speake,  I  am  bound  to  heare. 

Ghoft.     So  art  thou  to  reuenge,  when  thou  fhalt  hear. 

Ham.     What? 

Ghoft.     I  am  thy  father's  fpirit, 
Doomed  for  a  certaine  tearme  to  walke  the  night, 
And  for  the  day  confined  to  faft  in  fires, 
Till  the  foule  crimes  done  in  my  dayes  of  nature 
Are  burnt  and  purg'd  away ;  but  that  I  am  forbid 
To  tell  the  fecrets  of  my  prifon  houfe, 
I  could  a  tale  vnfolde  whofe  lighteft  word 
Would  harrow  vp  thy  foule,  freeze  thy  young  blood. 
Make  thy  two  eyes  like  ftars  ftart  from  their  fpheres, 
Thy  knotted  and  combined  locks  to  part, 
And  each  particular  haire  to  ftand  an  end, 
Like  quills  vpon  the  fearefull  Porpentine, 
But  this  eternal  blazon  muft  not  be 
To  ears  of  flefh  and  blood,  lift,  lift,  o  lift: 
If  thou  did'ft  euer  thy  deare  father  love. 

Ham.     O  God. 

Ghoft.     Reuenge  his  foule,  and  moft  unnatiu-all  murther. 

Ham.     Murther.      , 

Ghoft.     Murther  moft  foule,  as  in  the  beft  it  is, 
But  this  moft  foule,  ftrange  and  vnnaturall. 

Ham.     Haft  me  to  know't,  that  I  with  wings  as  fwift 
As  meditation,  or  the  thoughts  of  loue 
May  fweepe  to  my  reuenge. 

Ghoft.     I  find  thee  apt. 
And  duller  fhould'ft  thou  be  then  the  fat  weede 
That  rootes  it  felfe  in  eafe  on  Lethe  wharffe, 
Would'ft  thou  not  fturre  in  this ;  now  Hamlet  heare, 
Tis  giuen  out,  that  fleeping  in  my  Orchard, 
A  Serpent  ftung  me,  fo'the  whole  eare  of  Denmarke. 
Is  by  a  forgefl  proccffe  of  my  death 
Ranckely  abufdc:  but  knowe  thou  noble  Youth, 
The  Scrjx-nt  that  did  fting  thy  fathers  life 


50  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  Ur-Hamlet 


nature  ^ob  occUftomcb  tnc  to  go  in  tni)  roljal  pUa\i)xt--Qathtn  cucr^ 
boij  after  binner,  anb  t^crc  to  flee^  for  on  ^Dor.  One  boi)  m^  Brother, 
t^irfttng  for  tnt)  crohin,  anb  ^ab  tott^  ^int  t^c  §u6tle  juice  of  e6enon. 
%ffi§  oil,  or  juice,  l^a§  t^c  foHoioing  effect:  5l§  foon  a§  a  fehi  bro^)§  of 
it  ntis  toitff  tfft  hiooh  of  a  man,  t^et),  intmebiate,  c(og  t^e  ;paf0age3  of 
life  anb  beftrot;  tife.  2^i§  juice,  hj^ilc  ^  toa§  aftee:>j,  ^e  ;^oUreb  into 
mtf  ear;  a§  foon  af  it  reac^eb  ntt)  f}ta\i,  ^  bieb  at  once;  tul^creU^on  it 
toa§  giuen  out  t^at  ^  Ijob  bicb  of  o  uiolcnt  apopUiln, 


So  ta)a§  ^  roBBeb 


1604  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  51 

Now   wears   his   Crowne. 
Ham.     O  my  propheticke  foule!  my  Vncle? 


Ghoft.     I  that  inceftuous,  that  adulterate  beaft, 
With  witchcraft  of  his  wits,  with  trayterous  gifts, 
O  wicked  wit,  and  gifts  that  haue  the  power 
So  to  feduce ;  wonne  to  his  fhamefull  kift 
The  will  of  my  moft  feeming  vertuous  Quieene ; 

0  Hamlet,  what  falling  off  was  there 
From  me  whofe  loue  was  of  that  dignitie 
That  it  went  hand  in  hand,  euen  with  the  vowe 

1  made  to  her  in  marriage  and  to  decline 
Vppon  a  wretch  whofe  natural  gifts  were  poore, 

To  thofe  of  mine ;  but  vertue  as  it  neuer  will  be  mooued. 

Though  lewdneffe  court  it  in  a  fhape  of  heauen. 

So  but  though  to  a  radiant  Angle  linckt, 

Will  fort  itfelfe  in  a  celeftial  bed. 

And  pray  on  garbage. 

But  foft,  me  thinkes  I  fent  the  morning  ayre, 

Briefe  let  me  be;  fleeping  within  my  Orchard. 

My  cuftome  always  of  the  aftemoone, 

Vpon  my  fecure  houre,  thy  Vncle  ftole 

With  iuyce  of  curled  Hebona  in  a  viall, 

And  in  the  porches  of  my  ears  did  poure 

The  leaprous  deftilment,  whofe  effect 

Holds  fuch  an  enmitie  with  blood  of  man, 

That  fwift  as  quickfiluerit  courfes  through 

The  naturall  gates  and  allies  of  the  body, 

And  with  a  fodaine  vigour  it  doth  poffeffe 

And  curds  like  eager  droppings  into  milke, 

The  thin  and  wholfome  blood ;  fo  did  it  mine, 

And  a  moft  inftant  tetter  barckt  about 

Moft  Lazerlike  with  vile  and  lothfome  craft. 

All  my  fmooth  body. 

Thus  was  I  fleeping  by  a  brothers  hand, 


52  The  Tragicall  Historie  of  Hamlet  Ur-Hamlet 

of  mn  life  of  mt)  fingbom  onb  of  mi)  loifc  all  at  t^c  fame  time  6tj  t^is 
Stjront! 


Hamlet,    ^lift  ;^caucn§!  if  t^i§  6c  trbc  ^  fiocar  to  reucngc  i)ob. 
G/io^f.    ^  cannot  reft  Until  ml)  Unnatural  mUrber  Be  renengeb. 

[Exit, 
Hamlet,    ^  ftocar  tffoi  ^  toilt  not  reft  Until  ^  ^aue  l^ab  mi)  rettcnge 
on  t^iS  fratricibe. 


1604  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  53 

Of  life,  of  Crowne,  of  Queene  at  once  difpatcht, 

Cut  off  euen  in  the  bloffomes  of  my  finne, 

Vnhuzled,  difappointed,  unanueild, 

No  reckning  made,  but  fent  to  my  account 

Withal  my  imperfedions  on  my  hand, 

O  horrible,  o  horrible,  moft  horrible.  - 

If  thou  haft  nature  in  thee  beare  it  not, 


Let  not  the  royall  bed  of  Denmarke  be 
A  couch  for  luxury  and  damned  inceft. 
But  howfomeuer  thou  purfues  tlis  ad, 
Tain't  not  thy  minde.  nor  let  thy  foule  contriue 
Againft  thy  mother  ought,  leaue  her  to  heauen. 
And  to  thofe  thomes  that  in  her  bofome  lodge 
To  prick  and  fting,  her,  fare  thee  well  at  once. 
The  Gloworme  fhewes  the  matine  to  be  neere. 
And  gines  to  pale  his  vneffedluall  fire, 
Adiew,  Adiew,  adievv,  remember  me. 

Ham.     O  all  you  hoft  of  heauen,  o  earth,  what  els, 
And  fhall  I  coupple  hell,  o  fie,  hold,  hold  my  hart. 
And  you  my  finnowes,  growe  not  inftant  old, 
But  beare  me  fwiftly  vp  ;  remember  thee, 
I  thou  poore  Ghoft  whiles  memory  holds  a  feate 
In  this  distraded  globe,  remember  thee, 
Yea,  from  the  table  of  my  memory 
He  wipe  away  all  triuiall  fond  records, 
All  fawes  of  books,  all  forms,  all  preffures  paft 
That  youth  and  obfervation  coppied  there 
And  thy  commandement  all  alone  fhall  Hue, 
Within  the  booke  and  volume  of  my  braine 
Vnmixt  with  bafer  matter,  yes  by  haeuen, 
O  moft  pernicious  woman, 
O  villaine,  villaine,  fmiling  damned  villaine, 
My  tables,  meet  it  is  I  fet  it  downe 
That  one  may  fmile,  and  fmilc,  and  be  a  villaine, 
At  leaft  I  am  furc  it  may  be  fo  in  IXmmarke. 


54  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  Ur-Hamlet 


Horatio,  ^o\o  t§  it  toiifi  ?)oDr  ^tg^nef§?  SB^4)  fo  tcrrot=ftnc!cn? 
^aSt  tfio))  ^crcl^ancc  Been  bi§tUr6cb? 

Hamlet,    ?)e§,  tnbccb;  6et)onb  all  meofurc* 

Horatio,     ^a§  ?)ol)r  ^tg^ncfg  fccn  t^e  g^oft? 

Hamlet,    %t)d  trlili) — fccn  onb  f^jofcn  to  it, 

Horatio,    O  ^eantn§\  tl)i§  bobc§  fomct^tng  ftrongc. 

Hamlet,  ^t  ^o§  rcueolcb  to  tnc  o  horrible  t^tng;  therefore  ^  pta^ 
t^ot},  gentlemen,  ftonb  h\^  nte  in  o  matter  t^ot  colts  for  nengeance. 


1604 


The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet 


55 


So  Vncle.  there  you  are,  now  to  my  word, 
It  is  adew,  adew,  remember  me. 
I  haue  fworn't. 

Enter  Horatio,  and  Marcellus, 

Hora.     My  Lord,  my  Lord. 

Mar.     Lord  Hamlet. 

Hora.     Heauens  fecure  him. 

Ham.     So  be  it. 

Mar.     Illo,  ho  ho,  my  Lord. 

HoDi.     Hillo,  ho,  ho,  boy  come,  and  come. 


Mar.     How  i'ft  my  noble  Lord? 

Hora.     What  news  my  Lord  ? 

Ham.     O,  wonderful!. 

Hora.     Good  my  Lord  tell  it. 

Ham.     No,  you  will  reueal  it. 

Hora.     Not  I  m}^  Lord  by  heauen. 

Mar.     Nor  I  m}^  Lord. 

Ham.     How  fay  you  then,  would  hart  of  man  once  thinke  it, 
But  you'le  be  fecret. 

Booth.     I  by  heauen. 

Ham.     There's  neuer  a  villaine, 
Dwelling  in  all  Denmarke 
But  hee's  an  arrant  knaue. 

Hora.     There  needs  no  Ghoft  my  Lord,  come  from  the  gi 
To  tell  vs  this. 

Ham.     Why  right,  you  are  in  the  right. 
And  fo  without  more  circumftance  at  all 
I  hold  it  fit  that  we  fhake  hands  and  part, 
You,  as  your  bufines  and  defire  fhall  poynt  you. 
For  euery  man  hath  bufines  and  defire 
Such  as  it  is,  and  for  my  own  poore  part. 
I  will  go  oray. 

Hora.     Thefe  are  but  wilde  and  whuiling  words  my  Lord. 

Hciiii.     I  am  forry  they  offend  you  hartily, 
Yes  faith  hartily. 


26  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  TJr-Hamlet 


Horatio.     ?)oU  arc  §DrcIl)  conitinccb  of  ntt)  fnitf)fulncf§,  onlt}  ttU  mc. 

Francisco.     ?)oDr  ^''igljncj^  cannot  bou6t  a§  to  m\]  f]dp. 

Hamlet,  ©entlctncn,  before  3  rcncal  t!)c  matter  \)o\)  muft  flncor  on 
oat^  on  tjoUr  trl)tlj  anb  fjonor. 

Francisco.  ?)oDr  |'infmcf§  !noh)§  tijc  (one  S  ^cor  tjoU.  :;5  njill  \mlU 
inglt)  riff  ntt|  life  if  \)0\)  can  iianc  Dour  rcucngc. 

Horatio.     ^Ut  tI)oU  t^c  oatf)  to  U'5,  anb  lue  luill  ftanb  6i)  i)o»  a^ 

trl)c  men. 

//am/cf.     S^en,  lal)  l)oUr  finger  on  ml)  fiuorb— "SSe  floear." 

Horatio  and  Francisco.     3Se  flucar. 

Ghost  (withifi).     ^^t  flucar. 

Hamlet,     ^ollo!— luf)at  i§  ti)U?    fwear  again. 

Horatio  and  Francisco.     2Be  flucar. 

Ghost.     SSe  floear. 

Ham/^^.  mat  i§  tlji^?  5t  i§  nn  ccljo  infiicf)  fenbs  bacf  to  t^c 
rcBoDnb  of  our  luorb^.  Gome,  luc  luill  go  to  anoti)cr  f^jot.  SBe 
fluear. 


1604  The  Tragicall  Historie  of  Hamlet  57 

Hora.     There's  no  offense  my  Lord. 

Ham.     Yes  by  Saint  Patrick,  but  there  is  Horatio, 
And  much  offense  to,  touching  this  vision  heere, 
It  is  an  honeft  Ghoft  that  let  me  tell  you, 
For  your  desire  to  knowe  what  is  betweene  vs 
Oremaftrer  as  you  may,  and  now  good  friends. 
As  you  are  friends,  fchollars  and  fouldiers, 
Giue  me  one  poore  requeft. 

Hora.     What  i'st  my  Lord,  we  will 

Ham.     Neuer  make  knowne  what  you  haue  feene  to  night. 

Booth.     My  Lord  we  will  not. 

Ham.     Nay  but  fwear't. 

Hora.     In  faith  my  Lord  not  I. 

Mar.     Nor  I  my  Lord  in  faith. 


Ham.     Vppon  my  fword. 

Mar.     We  haue  fworne  my  Lord  already. 

Ham.     Indeede  vppon  my  fword,  indeed. 

Glwft  cries  under  the  Stage. 

Glwft.     Sweare. 

Ham.     Ha,  ha,  boy,  fay'ft  thou  fo,  art  thou  there  trupenny  ? 
Come  on,  you  heare  this  fellows  in  the  Sellerige. 
Confent  to  fweare. 

Hora.     Propose  the  oath  my  Lord. 

Ham.     Neuer  to  fpeake  of  this  that  you  have  feene 
Sweare  by  my  sword. 

Ghoft.     Sweare. 

Ham  &  vhique,  then  weele  fhift  our  ground; 
Come  hether  Gentlemen 
And  lay  your  hands  againe  upon  my  fword, 
Sweare  by  my  fword. 
Neuer  to  fpeake  of  this  that  you  haue  heard. 

Ghoft.     Sweare  by  his  fword. 

Ham.     Wdl    fayd    olde    Mole,    can't    worke    it'h   earth    fo    faft. 
A  worthy  Pioner,  once  more  remooue  good  friends. 


58  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  Ur-Hamlet 

Hamlet.  C  5  noli)  Ijcnr  lufjat  ii)\€  mcnn^.  ^t  fccm§  ii)at  tf)c 
gl^oft  of  ntti  fntl)cr  is*  bi-iiplcnfcb  at  wt)  wnftiin  tf)c  matter  fnolun. 
©cntlcmcn,  ^v  pval)  t\o\),  Icnitc  iiic;  to=morro)u  3  Jui^t  rcucal  cttcrljtijtng, 

Horatio  ami  Francisco,   'isavcmU,  ?)oUr  ^inl)ncf§.     [£.rj/  Francisco, 

Hamlet,     .^ovat'w,  come  I)itl)er. 

Horatio.     W)at  h$  tioUr  <pig()nef^'  luill? 

Hamlet.     ^a§  tf)c  otl)er  gone? 

Horatio*     ^t  f)a§. 

Hamlet,  ^  fnolu,  .<Qovatlo,  tf)at  t^oD  f)ttft  at  nil  timers  Been  trUc  to 
mt,  fo  S  toill  rewcal  to  i)oli  Juljat  tf)e  6il|oft  f)n§  tolb  me,  namclij,  tijat 
mi)  fot^cr  bieb  a  uiolent  bcatf).  9Jit)  father— ^c  m^o  t^  nom  mi)  fot^er 
— ^a§  mDrbcreb  i\\m. 

Horatio.    O  .^eoiten!  lu^ot  bo  ^  l)cor? 

Hamlet.  %fiO\)  fnolucft,  ^orntto,  tljat  mt)  bear  bc^iarteb  fntf)er^§ 
cDftom  >tJO§  eueri)  bni)  after  ^t§  binuer  to  flee^  nn  ^oDr  in  ^t§  fDmmer= 
l^oDfe.  ^lic  utHntn,  !noming  t^i§,  come§  to  m\)  father  anb  ^oDr§  into 
f)i§  ear,  mljtift  ^e  fle^t,  tl)c  jliice  of  e^enon,  Dnber  hjliic^  ml)  fatf)er'§ 
f^iirit  bepnrtcb.  %fii§  t^e  occurfeb  bog  bib  in  orber  to  obtain  t^e  cromn; 
onb  nom  from  tf)i§  moment  S  »»ilt  ^^t  o«  «»  affecteb  mabncfg,  anb  in 
ml)  affectation  fo  ffitfuUl)  <)Ial)  mi)  ^ort  tf)at  ^  f^all  finb  an  o|j^ortU= 
niti)  to  ttuengc  ml)  fatf)er^§  beot^. 

//ora^w.     Sf  fo  it  i§  to  be,  ^  Vicbge  mt)felf  to  be  trUe  to  ?)o)jr  ^ig^= 

ncfa. 

Hamlet.  |>oratio,  S  loill  fo  anenge  mi)felf  on  tl)i§  ambitioD0  anb 
cbijItcrobS  mUrbcrer  tljat  ^ofteriti)  fljall  f^ieaf  of  it  till  eternitl)-  S  hJill 
nohJ  go  onb  bif§cmbtc  onb  bibe  mi)  time  iintil  ^  finb  oij^jortijniti)  to 
toor!  mi)  rcnenge.  [Exeunt. 


1604  The  Tragicall  Historie  of  Hamlet  59 

Hora.     O  day  and  night,  but  this  is    wondrous  ftrange. 

Ham.     And  therefore  as  a  ftranger  giue  it  welcome. 
There  are  more  things  in  heauen  and  earth  Horatio. 
Then  are  dream't  of  in  your  philofophie,  but  come 
Heere  as  before,  neuer  fo  help  you  mercy, 
(How  ftrange  or  odde  fo  mere  I  beare  my  felfe, 
As  I  perchance  heereafter  fhall  thinke  meet, 
To  put  an  Anticke  difpofition  on 
That  you  at  fuch  times  feeing  me,  neuer  fhall 
With  arrmes  incomhred  thus,  or  this  head  fhake. 
Or  by  pronouncing  of  fome  doubtful  phrafe, 
As  well,  well,  we  knowe,  or  we  could  and  if  we  would, 
Of  if  we  Hft  to  fpeake,  or  there  be  and  if  they  might, 
Or   fuch   ambiguous   giuing  out,   to  note) 
That  you  knowe  ought  of  me,  this  doe  fweare, 
So  grace  and  mercy  at  your  Moft  neede  helpe  you. 

Ghoft.     Sweare. 

Ham.     Reft,  reft,  perturbed  fpirit;    fo  Gentlemen, 
Withall  my  loue  I  doe  commend  me  to  you. 


And  what  fo  poore  a  man  as  Hainlet  is. 

May  doe  t'expreffe  his  loue  and  frending  to  you. 

God  willing  fhall  not  lack,  let  vs  goe  in  together, 

And  ftill  your  fingers  on  your  lips  I  pray, 

The  tinie  is  out  of  ioynt,  o  curfed  fpight 

That  euer  I  was  borne  to  fet  it  right.  Pl  ^-^  \y^ 

Nay  come,  lets  goe  together.  Exeunt. 


%  tJtAAJ- 


\ 


Enter  old  Polonius,  with  his  man  or  two. 

Pol.     Giue  him  his  money,  and  thefe  notes.    Reynaldo. 

Rey.     I  will  my  Lord. 

Pol.     You  fhall  doe  meruils  wifely  good  Reynaldo, 
Before  you  vifite  him,  to  make  inqiirire 
Of  his  behauiour. 

Rey.     My  Lord,  I  did  intend  it. 


6o  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  TJr-Hamlet 


1804  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  6i 

Pol.     Mary  well  faid,  very  well  laid ;    looke  you  fir, 
Enquire  me  firft  what  Danskers  are  in  Parris, 
And  how,  and  who,  what  means,  and  where  they  keepe, 
What  companie,  at  what  expence,  and  finding 
By  this  encompafment,  and  drift  of  queftion. 
That  they  doe  know  my  fonne,  come  you  more  neerer 
Then  your  perticular  demaunds  will  tuch  it, 
Take  you  as  t'were  fome  diftant  knowledge  of  him, 
As  thus,  I  know  his  father  and  liis  friends. 
And  in  part  him,  doe  you  marke  this  Reynaldo? 

Rey.     I,  ver}'  well  my  Lord. 

Pol.     And  in  part  him,  but  you  may  fay  not  well, 
But  y'ft  be  he  I  meane,  hee's  very  wilde, 
Adided  fo  and  fo,  and  there  put  on  him 
What  forgeries  you  pleafe,  marry  none  fo  ranck 
As  may  dif honour  him,  take  heeds  of  that, 
But  fir,  fuch  wanton,  wild,  and  vfuall  flips. 
As  are  companions  noted  and  moft  knowne 
To  youth  and  libertie. 

Rey.     As  gaming  my  Lord. 

Pol.     I,  or  drinking,  fencing,  fwearing. 
Quarrelling,  drabbing,  you  may  goe  fo  far. 

Rey.     My  Lord,  that  would  dif  honor  him. 

Pof.     Fayth  as  you  may  feafon  it  in  the  charge. 
You  muft  not  put  another  fcandell  on  him. 
That  he  is  open  to  incontinencie. 

That's  not  my  meaning,  but  breath  his  faults  fo  quently 
That  they  may  feemc  the  taints  of  libertie. 
The  fiafh  and  out-breaks  of  a  fierie  mind, 
A  fauagenes  in  vnreclaimed  blood, 
Of  generall  affault. 

Rey.     But  my  good  Lord. 

Pol.     Wherefore  fhould  you  doe  this? 

Rey.     I  my  Lord,  I  would  know  that. 

Pol.     Marry  fir,  beer's  my  drift. 
And  I  belieue  it  is  a  fetch  of  wit. 
You  laying  thefc  flight  fallics  on  my  fonne. 


62  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  Ur-Hamlet 


1604  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  63 

As  t'were  a  thing  a  little   foyld  with  working, 

Marke  you,  your  partie  in  conuerfe,  him  you  would  found 

Hauing  euer  feene  in  the  prenominat  crimes 

The  youth  }ou  breath  of  gnidtie,  be  af fur'd 

He  clofes  with  you  in  this  confequence. 

Good  fir,  (or  fo,)  or  friend,  or  gentleman. 

According  to  the  phrafe,  or  the  addiftion 

Of  man  and  country. 

Rey.     Very  good  my  Lord. 

Pol.     And  then  fir  doos  a  this,  a  doos,  what  was  I  about  to  fay? 
By  the  maffe  I  was  about  to  fay  fomething. 
Where  did  I  leaue? 

Rey.     At  clofes   in  the  confequence. 

Pol.     At  clofes  in  the  confequence,  I  marry, 
He  clofes  thus,  I  know  the  gentleman, 
I  faw  him  yefterday,  or  tli'  other  day, 
Or  then,  or  then,  with  fuch  or  fuch,  and  as  you  fay, 
There  was  a  gaming  there,  or  took  in's  rowfe, 
There  falling  out  at  Tennis,  or  perchance 
I  faw  him  enter  fuch  a  houfe  of  fale, 
Videlizet,  a  brothell,  or  fo  foorth,  fee  you  now. 
Your  bait  of  falfehood  take  this  carpe  of  truth. 
And  thus  doe  we  of  wifedome,  and  of  reach. 
With  windleffes,  and  with  affaies  of  bias, 
By  indiredions  find  diredions  out. 
So  by  my  former  ledures  and  aduife 


Shall  you  my  fonne :   you  haue  me,  haue  you  not? 

Rey.  My  Lord,  I  haue. 

Pol.  God  buy  ye,  far  ye  well. 

Rey.  Good  my  Lord. 

Pol.  Obferue  his  inclination  in  your  felfe. 

Rey.  I  fhall  my  Lord. 

Pol.  And  let  him  ply  his  mufique. 

Rey.  Well  my  I>ord.  Exit  Rey. 


64  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  Ur-Hamlet 

Ophelia,  9llasi,  fntljcr,  protect  mc! 
Corambus,  ^f^at  i§  it,  mi)  c^ilb? 
Ophelia,    9lltt§,  fotljcr!  'l^t'uKC  ^amkt  impoxt\}ne§  ntc.  ^e  Ut§  mc 

laite  no  ptaa, 

Corambus,     aJiofe  ijoUrfcIf  eoft),  mt)  boDg^ter.    ^c  ^o§  not  bone 

onijt^ing  clfSe,  ^08  ^c? 


1604  The  Tragicall  Historie  of  Hamlet  65 

Enter   Opheltu. 

Pol.     Farewell.     How  now  Oplielia,  whats  the  matter? 

Oph.     O  my  Lord,  my  Lord,  I  haue  beene  fo  affrighted, 

Pol.     With  what  i'th  name  of  God? 

Oph.     My  Lord,  as  I  was  fowing  in  my  cloffet, 
Lord  Hamlet  with  his  doublet  all  vnbrac'd, 
No  hat  vpon  his  head,  his  ftockins  fouled, 
Vngartred,  and  downe  gyued  to  his  ancle. 
Pale  as  his  fhirt,  his  knees  knocking  each  other. 
And  with  a  looke  fo  pittious  in  purport 
As  if  he  had  been  loofed  out  of  hell 
To  fpeake  of  horrors,  he  comes  before  me. 

Pol.     Mad  for  thy  lone? 

Oph.     My  lord  I  doe  not  know. 
But  truly  I  doe  feare  it. 

Pol.     What  faid  he? 

Oph.     He  tooke  me  by  the  wrift,  and  held  me  hard. 
Then  goes  he  to  the  length  of  all  his  arme. 
And  with  his  other  hand  thus  ore  his  brow. 
He  falls  to  fuch  perufall  of  my  face 
As  a  would  draw  it,  long  ftay'd  he  fo. 
At  laft,  a  little  fhaking  of  mine  arme, 
And  thrice  his  head  thus  wauing  vp  and  downe, 
He  raifd  a  figh  fo  pittious  and  profound 
As  it  did  feeme  to  fhatter  all  his  bulke, 
And  end  his  beeing;   that  done,  he  lets  me  goe, 
And  with  his  head  ouer  his  fhoulder  turn'd 
Hee  feem'd  to  find  his  way  without  his  eyes, 
For  out  adoores  he  went  without  theyr  helps, 
And  to  the  laft  bended  their  light  on  me. 


Pol.     Come,  goe  with  mee,  I  will  goe  feeke  the  King, 
This  is  the  very  extracie  of  loue, 
Whofe  violent  propertie  fordoos  it  felfe, 
And  leades  the  will  to  defperat  vndertakings 
As  oft  as  any  pafsions  vndcr  heauen 


66  The  Tragicall  Historie  of  Hamlet  Ur-Hamlet 


1604  The  Tragicall  Historie  of  Hamlet  67 

That  dooes  afflid  our  natures :  I  am  forry, 

What,  haue  you  giuen  him  any  hard  words  of  late? 

Oph.     No  my  good  Lord,  but  as  you  did  commaund 
I  did  repell  his  letters,  and  denied 
His  acceffe  to  me. 

Pol.     That  hath  made  him  mad. 
I  am  forry,  that  with  better  heede  and  iudgement 
I  had  not  coted  him,  I  fear'd  he  did  but  trifle 
And  meant  to  wrack  thee,  but  befhrow  my  leloufiee : 
By  heauen  it  is  as  proper  to  our  age 
To  caft  beyond  our  felues  in  ouir  opinions, 
As  it  is  common  for  the  yotmger  fort 
To  lack  difcretion ;    come,  goe  we  to  the  King, 
This  muft  be  knowne,  which  beeing  kept  clofe,  might  moue 
More  griefe  to  hide,  then  hate  to  vtter  loue, 
Come.  Exeunt. 

Florifh:    Enter  King  and  Queene,  Rofencraus  and  /u 

Guyldensterne. 
King.     Welcome  deere  Rofencraus,  and  Guyldensterne, 
Moreouer,  that  we  much  did  long  to  fee  you. 
The  neede  we  haue  to  vfe  you  did  prouoke 
Our  haftie  fending,  fomething  haue  you  heard 
Of  Hamlets  transformation,  fo  call  it, 
Sith  nor  th'exterior,  nor  the  inward  man 
Refembles  that  it  was,  what  it  fhould  be, 
More  then  his  fathers  death,  that  thus  hath  put  him 
So  much  from  th'vnderftanding  of  himfelfe 
I  cannot  dreame  of :    I  entreate  you  both 
That  beeing  of  fo  young  dayes  brought  vp  with  him, 
And  fith  fo  nabored  to  his  youth  and  hauior. 
That  you  voutfafe  your  reft  heere  in  ouir  Court 
Some  little  time,  fo  by  your  companies 
To  draw  him  on  to  pleafures,  and  to  gather 


68 


The  Tragicall  Historie  of  Hamlet  Ur-Hamlet 


1604  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  69 

So  much  as  from  occafion  you  may  gleane, 
Whether  ought  to  vs  vnknowne  aiBids  him  thus, 
That  opend  lyes  within  our  remedie. 

Qnee.     Good  gentlemen,  he  hath  much  talkt  of  you. 
And  fure  I  am,  two  men  there  is  not  lining 
To  whom  he  more  adheres,  if  it  will  pleafe  you 
To  fhew  vs  fo  much  gentry  and  good  will, 
As  to  expend  your  time  with  vs  a  while, 
For  the  fupply  and  profit  of  our  hope. 
Your  vifitation  fhall  receiue  fuch  thanks 
As  fits  a  Kings  remembrance. 
Rof.     Both  your  Maiefties 
Might  by  the  foueraigne  power  you  haue  of  vs. 
Put  your  dread  pleafures  more  into  commaund 
Then  to  entreatie. 

Guyl.     But  we  both  obey. 
And  here  giue  vp  our  felues  in  the  full  bent, 
To  lay  our  feruice  at  your  feete 
To   be   commaunded. 

King.     Thanks  Rofencraiis  and  gentle  Guyldemterne. 

Quee.     Thanks  Guyldensterne,  and  gentle  Rofen-cmns. 
And  I  beseech  you  inftantly  to  vifite 
My  too  much  changed  fonne,  goe  fome  of  you 
And  bring  thefe  gentlemen  where  Hamlet  is. 

Giiyl.     Heauens  make  our  prefence  and  our  pradices 
Pleafant  and  helpful!   to  him. 

Quee.     I   Amen.  Exeunt  Rof.  and  Guyld. 

Enter  Polonins. 

Pol.     Th'cmbaffadors  from  Norway  my  good  Lord, 
Are  ioyfully  returned. 

King.     Thou  ftill  haft  been  the  father  of  good  newes. 

Pol.     Haue  I  my  Lord?  I  affure  my  good  Liege 
I  hold  my  duties  as  I  hold  my  foule, 
Both  to  my  God,  and  to  my  gracious  King; 
And  I  doc  thinke,  or  els  this  braine  of  mine 

Hunts  not  the  trayle  of  pdliicie  fo  fure 
As  it  h;ith  vffl  to  doc,  that  T  haue  found 


70 


The  Tmgicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  TJr-Hamlet 


1604  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  yi 

The  very  caufe  of  Hamlets  lunacie : 

King.     O  fpeake  of  that,  that  doe  I  long  to  heare. 


Pol.     Giue  firft  admittance  to  th'embaffadors, 
My  newes  fliall  be  the  fruite  to  that  great  feaft. 

King.     Thy  felfe  doe  grace  to  them,  and  bring  them  in. 
He  tells  me  my  deere  Gertrard  he  hath  found 
The  head  and  fource  of  all  your  fonnes  diftemper. 

Qtiee.     I  doubt  it  is  no  other  but  the  maine 
His  fathers  death,  and  our  haftie  marriage. 

Enter  Embaffadors. 

King.     Well,  we  fhall  fift  him,  welcome  my  good  friends, 
Say  Voltemand,  what  from  our  brother  Norway? 

Vol.     Moft  faire  returne  of  greetings  and  defires ; 
Vpon  our  firft,  he  fent  out  to  fuppireffe 
His  Nephews  leuies,  which  to  him  appeard 
To  be  a  preparation  gainft  the  PoUacke, 
But  better  lookt  into,  he  truly  found 
It  was  again  ft  your  highnes,  whereat  greeu'd 
That  fo  his  ficknes,  age,  and  impotence 
Was  falfly  borne  in  hand,  fends  out  arrefts 
On  Fortenbroffe,  which  he  in  breefe  obeyes, 
Receiues  rebuke  from  Norzcay,  and  in  fine. 
Makes  vow  before  his  \^ncle  neuer  more 
To  giue  th'af fay  of  Amies  againft  your  Maieftie : 
Whereon  old  Norway  ouercome  with  ioy, 
Giues  him  threefcore  thoufand  crownes  in  anull  fee. 
And  his  commifsion  to  imploy  thofe  fouldiers 
So  leuied  (as  before)  againft  the  PoUacke, 
With  an  entreatie  heerein  further  fhone. 
That  it  might  pleafe  you  to  giue  quiet  uaffe 
Through  your  dominions  for  this  enterprife 
On  fuch  regards  of  fafety  and  allowance 
As  therein  are  fet  downe. 

Kiyig.     It   likes   vs   well, 

6 


72  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  ITr-Hamlet 


Corambus.     9lcJu§,  ml)  grociol)^  Corb  ^ing. 

King,     g»f)ot  nc\\i§? 

Corambus,    prince  ^amkt  i§  tnob;  mab  a§  eucr  t^e  ©reef  mobmcn. 

Coranibus.     83ccal)fe  l)e  f^a^  loft  I)i§  loits. 

/Om^.    3lnb  Jof)l)  i§  ^e  mob? 

King,     Wffcvt  ffa§  Ije  loft  ^{§  luit§? 

Corambus,  %ffaf§  more  tl)nn  ^  fnolu.  ^e  tijat  f)a§  foUnb  tljem  moi) 
^er^a))§  fnom. 

Of},  nom  :S  fnolu  lu^l)  ^^rince  ^omlet  {§  mab,  ^e  i§  certoinll)  in 
loue  \i}itf}  ml)  bal>gf)ter, 

Km^.     ©an  loitc  tl)cn,  mafc  a  man  mob? 

Corambus,  9lo  bol)6t,  ml)  gracious  £orb  onb  ^ing,  louc  i§  full 
ftrong  enough  to  mofe  o  mon  mob.  ^  rememficr  ml)fclf  luf)en  ^  loog 
^ol)ng  I)oH)  it  ^jlogljeb  me — it  mobe  me  a§  mob  a§  a  Wlavcff  ^ore. 
25l)t  S  tofe  no  note  of  it.  ^  life  better  to  fit  bl)  ml)  fire^foce,  anb 
count  ol)t  ml)  reb  coin§,  onb  brinf  2)oUr  SOioieftl)'^  ^coltf). 


1604  The  Tragicall  Historie  of  Hamlet  73 

And  at  our  more  confidered  time,  wee'le  read, 
Anfwer,   and   thinke   vpon  this   bufines : 
Meane  time,  we  thanke  you  for  your  well  tooke  labour, 
Goe  to  your  reft,  at  night  weele  feaft  together, 
Moft  welcome  home.  Exeunt  Embaffadors. 

Pol.     This  bufines  is  well  ended. 


My  Liege  and  Maddam,  to  expoftulate 

What  maieftie  fhould  be,  what  dutie  is. 

Why  day  is  day,  night,  night,  and  time  is  time. 

Were  nothing  but  to  waft  night,  day,  and  time. 

Therefore  breuitie  is  the  foule  of  wit. 

And  tedioufnes  the  lymmes  and  outward  florifhes, 

I  will  be  briefe,  your  noble  fonne  is  mad: 

Mad  call  it,  for  to  define  true  madnes, 

What  ift  but  to  be  nothing  els  but  mad. 

But  let  that  goe. 

Quee.     More  matter  with  leffe  art. 

Pol.     Maddam,  I  fweare  I  vfe  no  art  at  all. 

That  hee's  mad  tls  true,  tis  true,  tis  pitty, 

And  pitty  tis  tis  true,  a  foolifh  figure. 

But  farewell  it,  for  I  will  vfe  no  art, 

Mad  let  vs  graunt  him  then,  and  now  remaines 

That  we  find  out  the  caufe  of  this  effedl. 

Or  rather  fay,  the  caufe  of  this  defect, 

For  this  effedl  defedliue  comes  by  caufe: 

Thus  it  remaines,  and  the  remainder  thus 

Perpend, 

I  haue  a  daughter,  haue  while  fhe  is  mine. 

Who  in  her  dutie  and  obedience,  marke, 

Hath  giuen  me  this,  now  gather  and  furmife. 

To  the  Celestiall  and  my  foules  Idoll,  the  most  beau- 
tified  Ophelia,   tlrnt's  an   ill   phrafe,    a    vile    phrafe, 
beautified  is  a  vile  phrafe,  but  you  {hall  heare:  thus  in 
her  excellent  white  bofome,  thefe  &c. 
Quee.     Came  this  from  Hamlet  to  her? 


74  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  Ur-Hamlet 


1604  The  Tragicall  Historie  of  Hamlet  75 

Pol.     Good  Maddam  ftay  awhile,  I  will  be  faithfull, 
Doubt  thou  the  ftarres  are  fire.  Letter. 

Doubt  thou  the  Sunne  doth  moue, 
Doubt  truth  to  be  a  Iyer. 
But  neiier  doubt  I  hue. 
O  deere  Ophelia,  I  am  ill  at  thefe  numbers,  I  haue  not  art  to  recken 

my  gTones,  but  that  I  loue  thee  beft,  o  moft  beft  belieue  it,  adew. 

Thine  euermore  moft  deere  Lady,  whilft  this  machine  is  to  him. 
Pol.     This  in  obedience  hath  my  daughter  fhowne  me.       (Hamlet. 

And  more  about  hath  his  folicitings 
As  they  fell  out  by  time,  by  means,  and  place, 
All  giuen  to  mine  eare. 

Ki)ig.     But  how  hath  fhe  receiu'd  his  loue  ? 

Pol.     What  doe  you  thinke  of  me? 

King.     As  of  a  man  faithfull  and  honorable. 

Pol.     I  would  faine  proue  fo,  but  what  might  you  thinke 
When  I  had  feene  this  bote  loue  on  the  wing. 
As  I  perceiu'd  it  (I  muft  tell  you  that) 
Before  my  daughter  told  me,  what  might  you. 
Or  my  deere  Maieftie  your  Queene  heere  thinke, 
If  I  had  playd  the  Deske,  or  Table  booke. 
Or  giuen  my  hart  a  working  mute  and  dumbe, 
Or  lookt  vppon  this  loue  with  idle  fight, 
What  might  you  thinke?  no,  I  went  round  to  worke, 
And  my  young  Miftris  thus  I  did  befpeake. 
Lord  Hamlet  is  a  Prince  out  of  thy  ftar. 
This  muft  not  be :  and  then  I  prefcripts  gaue  her 
That  fhe  fhould  locke  her  felfe  from  her  refort, 
Admit  no  meffengers,  receiue  no  tokens. 
Which  done,  fhe  tooke  the  fruites  of  my  aduife : 
And  he  repell'd,  a  fhort  tale  to  make. 
Fell  into  a  fadncss,  then  into  a  faft. 
Thence  to  a  wath,  thence  into  a  weakness, 
Thence  to  lightnes  and  by  this  declenfion, 
Into  the  madncs  wherein  now  he  raues. 
And  all  we  mourne  for. 

King.     Doe  you  thinke   this? 


r 

7^  ^^"^  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  Ur-Hamlet 


Kmg,    (^annoi  tot  fee  tottl^  oDr  oton  ci)c§  !){§  rautng  anb  ntobitcgg? 

Corambus,  §)c§,  ?)oDr  SWnicft),.  SBe  totll  iDft  ntouc  a  little  oftbc, 
onb  mtf  bobg^tcr  f^nll  f^oto  ^im  t^c  jetoet  of  to^ic^  ^c  ^a§  tnobc  fier 
0  ^rcfent,  onb  t^en  §)ot)r  aWojcftij  con  fee  fji^  mobncfg.  [  They  hide 


1604  The  Tragicall  Historie  of  Hamlet  jy 

Quee.     It  may  be  very  like 

Pol.     Hath  there  been  fuch  a  time,  I  would  faine  know  that, 
That  I  haue  pofitiuely  faid,  tis  fo, 
When  it  proou'd  otherwife? 

King.     Xot  that  I  know 

Pol.     Take  this,  from  this,  if  this  be  otherwife ; 
Ir  circumftances  leade  me,  I  will  finde 
Where  truth  is  hid,  though  it  were  hid  indeede 
Within  the  Center. 

King.     How  may  we  try  it  further? 

Pol.     You  know  fometimes  he  walkes  foure  houres  together 
Heere  in  the  Lobbv. 


Quee.     So  he  dooes  indeede. 

Pol.     At  fuch  a  time.  He  loofe  my  daughter  to  him, 
Be  you  and  I  behind  an  Arras  then, 
Marke  the  encounter,  if  he  loue  her  not. 
And  be  not  from  his  reafon  falne  thereon 
Let  me  be  no  afsiftant  for  a  ftate 
But  keepe  a  farme  and  carters. 

King.     We  will  try  it. 

Enter  Hamlet. 

Quee.     But  looke  where  fadly  the  poore  wretch  comes  reading. 

Pol.     Away,  I  doe  befeech  you  both  away,  Exit  King  and  Queene. 
He  bord  him  prefently,  oh  giue  me  leaue, 
How  dooes  my  good  Lord  Hamlet? 

Ham.     Well,  God  a  mercy. 

Pol.     Doe  you  knowe  me  my  Lord? 

Ham.     Excellent  well,  you  are  a  Fifhmonger. 

Pol.     Not  I  my  Lord. 

Ham.     Then  I  would  you  were  fo  honeft  a  man. 

Pol.     Honeft  my  Lord. 

Ham.     I  fir  to  be  honest  as  this  world  goes, 
Is  to  be  one  man  pickt  out  of  tenne  thoufand. 

Pol.     That's  very  true  my  Lord. 


78  The  TragicaU  Historic  of  Hamlet  TJr-Hamlet 


ie04  Tlie  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  79 

Ham.     For  if  the  funne  breede  maggots  in  a  dead  dogge,  being  a 
good  kif sing  carrion.    Haue  you  a  daughter  ? 
Pol.     I  haue  my  Lord. 

Ham.     Let  her  not  walke  i'th  Sunne,  conception  is  a  blefsing, 
But  as  your  daughter  may  conceaue,  friend  look  to't. 

Pol.  How  fay  you  by  that,  ftill  harping  on  my  daughter,  yet  hee 
knewe  me  not  at  firft,  a  fayd  I  was  a  Fifhmonger,  a  is  farre  gone, 
and  truly  in  my  youth,  I  fuffred  much  extremity  for  loue,  very 
neere  this.  He  fpeake  to  him  againe.  What  doe  you  reade  my 
Lord, 

Ham.     Words,   words,   words. 
Pol.     What  is  the  matter  my  Lord. 
Ham.     Between   who. 

Pol.     I  meane  the  matter  that  you  reade  my  Lord. 
Ham.     Slaunders  fir  ;  for  the  fatericall  rogue  fayes  heere,  that  old 
men  haue  gray  beards,  that  their  faces  are  wrinckled,  their  eyes 
purging  thick  Amber,  &  plumtree  gum,  &  that  they  haue  a  plen- 
tiful! lacke  of  wit,  together  with  moft  weake  hams,  all  which  fir 
though  I  moft  powerfully  and  potentlie  belieue,  yet  I  hold  it  not 
honeftly  to  haue  it  thus  fet  downe,  for  your  felfe  fir  fhall  growe  old 
as  I  am :  if  like  a  Crab  you  could  goe  backward. 
Pol.     Though  this  be  madneffe,  yet  there  is  method  in't,  will  you 
walke  out  of  the  ayre  my  Lord? 
Ham.     Into   my   graue. 

Pol.  Indeede  that's  out  of  the  ayre;  how  pregnant  fometimes 
his  replies  are,  a  happines  that  often  madneffe  hits  on,  which  reafon 
and  fandity  could  not  fo  profperoufly  be  ddiuered  of,  I  will  leaue 
him  and  my  daughter.    My  Lord,  I  will  take  my  leaue  of  you. 

Ham.  You  cannot  take  from  mee  any  thing  that  I  will  not  more 
willingly  part  withall :  except  my  life,  except  my  life,  except  my 
life.  Enter  Gitylderfterne,  and  Rofencraus. 

Pol.     Fare  you  well  my  Lord. 
Ham.     Thefe  tedious  old  fooles. 

Pol.     You  goe  to  feeke  the  Lord  Hamlet,  there  he  is. 
Rof.     God  faue  you  fir. 
Giiyl.     My  honor'd  Lord. 
Rof.     My  moft  deere  Lord. 


8o 


The  Tradcall  Historic  of  Hamlet  TJr-Hamlet 


1604  The  Tm^icall  Historie  of  Hamlet  8i 


*is 


Ham.     My  extent  good  friends,  how  dooft  thou  Guylderfterne? 
A  Rofencraus,  good  lads  how  doe  you  both? 

Rof.     As  the  indifferent  children  of  the  earth. 

Guyl.     Happy,  in  that  we  are  not  euer  happy  on  Fortunes  lap. 
We  are  not  the  very  button. 

Ham.     Nor  the  foles  of  her  fhooe. 

Rof.     Neither  my  Lord. 


Ham.     Then  you  Hue  about  her  waft,  or  in  the  middle  of  her  fa- 

Gnyl.     Faith  her  priuates   we.  (uors. 

Hayn.  In  the  fecret  parts  of  Forftune,  oh  moft  true,  fhe  is  a 
What  newes?  (f trumpet, 

Rof.     None  my  Lord,  but  the  worlds  growne  honeft. 

Ham.     Then  is  Doomes  day  neere,  but  your  newes  is  not  true ; 
But  in  the  beaten  way  of  friendfhip,  what  make  you  at  Elfonoure? 

Rof.     To  vifit  you  my  Lord,  no  other  occafion. 

Ham.  Begger  that  I  am,  I  am  euer  poore  in  thankes,  but  I  thanke 
you,  and  lure  deare  friends,  my  thankes  are  too  deare  a  halfpeny: 
were  you  not  fent  for?  is  it  your  owne  inclining?  is  it  a  free  vifitati- 
on?  come,  come,  deale  iuftly  with  me,  come,  come,  nay  fpeake. 

Guyl.     What  fhould  we  fay  my  Lord? 


Hatn.  Any  thing  but  to'th  purpofe :  you  were  fent  for,  and  there 
is  a  kind  of  confefsion  in  your  lookes,  which  your  modefties  haue  not 
craft  enougli  to  cullour,  I  know  the  good  King  and  Queene  haue 
fent  for  you. 

Rof.     To  what  end  my  Lord? 

Ham.  That  you  muft  teach  me:  but  let  me  coniure  you,  by  the 
rights  of  our  feUowfhip,  by  the  confonancie  of  our  youth,  by  the 
obHgation  of  our  euer  preferued  loue ;  and  by  what  more  deare  a 
better  propofer  can  charge  you  withall,  bee  euen  and  dired  with 
me  whether  you  were  fent  for  or  no. 

Rof.     What   fay    you. 

Ham.     Nay  then  I  haue  an  eye  of  you :  if  you  loue  me  hold  not  of. 

Guyl.     My  Lord  we  were  fent  for. 


g2  TJic  Tragicall  Historie  of  Hamlet  Ur-Hamlet 


1604  The  Tragicall  Hist  or  ie  of  Hamlet  83 

Ham.  I  will  tell  you  why,  fo  fhall  my  anticipation  preuent  your 
difcouery,  and  your  fecrecie  to  the  King  &  Oueene  moult  no  fea- 
ther, I  haue  of  late,  but  wherefore  I  knowe  not,  loft  all  my  mirth, 
forgon  all  cuftome  of  exercifes :  and  indeede  it  goes  fo  heauily  with 
my  difpofition,  that  this  goodly  frame  the  earth,  feemes  to  mee  a 
fterill  promontorie,  this  moft  excellent  Canopei  the  ayre,  looke 
you,  this  braue  orehanging  firmament,  this  maiefticall  roofe  fret- 
ted with  golden  fire,  why  it  appeareth  nothing  to  me  but  a  foule 
and  peftilent  congregation  of  vapoures.  What  peece  of  worke  is  a 
man,  how  noble  in  reafon,  how  infinit  in  faculties,  in  forme  and 
moouing,  how  expreffe  and  admirable  in  adlion,  how  like  an  An- 
gell  in  apprehenfion,  how  like  a  God :  the  beautie  of  the  world ;  the 
paragon  of  Aunimales  ;  and  yet  to  me,  what  is  this  Quinteffence  of 
duft :  man  delights  not  me,  nor  women  neither,  though  by  your 
fmiling,  you  feeme  to  fay  fo. 

Rof.     My  Lord,  there  was  no  fuch  ftuffe  in  my  thoughts. 

Ham.     Why  did  yee  laugh  then,  when  I  fayd  man  delights  not  me. 

Rof.  To  thinke  my  Lord  if  you  delight  not  in  man,  what  Lenton 
entertainment  the  players  fhall  receaue  from  you,  we  coted  them 
on  the  way,  and  hether  are  they  comming  to  ofifer  you  feruice. 

Ham.  He  that  playes  the  King  fhal  be  welcome,  his  Maieftie  fhail 
haue  tribute  on  me,  the  aduenterous  Knight  fhall  vfe  his  foyle  and 
target,  the  Louer  fhall  not  figh  gratis,  the  humorus  Man  fhall  end 
his  part  in  peace,  and  the  Lady  fhall  fay  her  minde  freely:  or  the 
black  verfe  fhall  hault  for't.     What  players  are  they? 

Rof.  Euen  thofe  were  wont  to  take  fuch  delight  in,  the  Trage- 
dians of  the  Citty. 


Ham.  How  chances  it  they  trauaile  ?  their  ref idence  both  in  repu- 
tation, and  profit  was  better  both  wayes. 

Rof.  I  thinke  their  inhibition,  comes  by  the  meanes  of  the  late 
innouafion. 

Ham.  I>je  they  hold  the  fame  eftimation  they  did  when  I  was  in 
the  Citty ;    are  they  fo  followed. 

Rof.     No  indeede  are  they  not. 


g_^  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  Ur-Hamlet 


1604  The  Tragicall  Historie  of  Hamlet  85 


Ham.  It  is  not  very  ftrange,  for  my  Vncle  is  King  of  Denmarke, 
and  those  that  would  make  mouths  at  him  while  my  father  lined, 
giue  twenty,  fortie,  fifty,  a  hundred  duckets  a  peece,  for  his  Pidure 
in  little,  s'bloud  there  is  fomething  in  this  more  then  natural!,  if 
Philofophie  could  find  it  out.  A  Florifh. 

Guyl.     There  are  the  players. 

Ham.  Gentlemen  you  are  welcome  to  Elfonoure,  your  hands  come 
then,  th'appurtenance  of  welcome  is  fafliion  and  ceremonie;  let 
mee  comply  with  you  in  this  garb :  let  me  extent  to  the  players, 
which  I  tell  you  muft  fhowe  fairely  outwards,  fhould  more  ap- 
peare  like  entertainment  then  yours?  you  are  welcome:  but  my 
Vncle-father,  and  Aunt-mother,   are   deceaued. 


86  The  Tr alkali  Historic  of  Hamlet  Ur-Hamlet 


Corambiis.     9Jch)§,  ntt)  gractol)§  fiorb!  t^e  nctor^'  are  come. 
Hamlet.     SS^en  9Jinril)§  5RofctD§  loa^^  an  actor  in  9iomc,  tljat  h)n§  a 
fine  time. 

Corambiis.     ^a!  ^a!  l|a!   2)ol)r  ^ig()nef'5  i^  nlluttf^5  Bantering, 


Hamlet.    0  ^t)^i^a,  ^e^tfia,  mf)ttt  a  fair  baHgljter  ^ab'ft  tfiou! 
Corambus.     §)olir  ^ig^ncf§  almot)^  mill  6c  fiar^inn  on  ml|  balig^ter. 
Hamlet.     SSell,   olb   man;   let   tl)c   mafter   of   tfje   actor   com^ani) 
come  in. 

Corambus.     ^t  f^all  6e  fo.      [Exit. 


1604  The  Tragicall  Historie  of  Hamlet  87 

Gityl.     In  what  my  deare  Lord. 

Ham.  I  am  but  mad  North  North  weft;  when  the  wind  is  South- 
therly,  I  knowe  a  Hauke,  from  a  hand  faw. 

Enter  Polonius. 

Pol.     Well  be  with  you  Gentlemen. 

Ham.  Harke  you  Giiyldenjterne,  and  you  to,  at  each  eare  a  hear- 
er, that  great  baby  you  fee  there  is  not  yet  out  of  his  fwadling  clouts. 

Rof.  Happily  he  is  the  fecond  time  come  to  them,  for  they  fay  an 
old  man  is  twice  a  child. 

Ham.  I  will  prophecy,  he  comes  to  tell  me  of  the  players,  mark  it. 
You  fay  right  fir,  a  Monday  morning,  t'was  then  indeede. 

Pol.     My  Lord  I  haue  newes  to  tell  you. 

Ham.  My  Lord  I  haue  newes  to  tel  you:  when  Rof  fins  was  an 
Aclor   in    Rome. 

Pol.     The  Adors  are  come  hether  my  Lord. 

Hcmi.     Buz,  buz. 

Pol.     Vppon   my   honor. 

Ham.     Then  came  each  AcT;or  on  his  Affe. 

Pol.  The  beft  adors  in  the  world,  either  for  Tragedie,  Comedy, 
Hiftory,  Paftorall,  Paftorall  Comicall,  Hiftoricall  Paftorall,  fcene 
indeuidible,  or  Poem  vnlimited.  Sccneca  cannot  be  too  heauy,  nor 
Plautits  too  light  for  the  lawe  of  writ,  and  the  liberty:  thefe  are  the 
only  men. 

Ham-.      O  leptha  fudge  of  Ifraell,  what  a  treafure  had'ft  thou? 

Pol.     What  a  treafure  had  he  my  Lord? 

Ham.  Why  one  faire  daughter  and  no  more,  the  whole  he  loued 
pafsing  well. 

Pol.     Still  on  my  daughter. 

Ham.     Am  I  not  i'th  right  old  Icptha? 

Pol.     If  you  call  me  Icptha  my  Lord,  I  haue  a  daughter  that  I  loue 

Ham.     Nay  that  followes  not.  (pafsing  well. 

Pol.     What  followes  then  my  Lord? 

Ham.     Why  as  by  lot  God  wot,  and  then  you  knowe  it  came  to 
paffe,  as  moft  like  it  was;   the  firft  rnwe  f)f  \hv  \^\(^u'^  clianfon  will 
fhowe  you  more,  for  Innkc  where  my  abridgement  comes. 
7 


88  The  Tras[icall  Historic  of  Hamlet  Ur-Hamlet 


•i. 


CarL  ''Mai]  tl)c  (^ub'^  citcr  Ocftoiu  on  ?)oUr  ,S^igI)ncf'^  Hcf'^tng^,  tucf, 
nnb  l)calt0. 

Hamlet,     Sljniif'^,  ml)  fricnb!  JlMjnt  con  ^  bo  for  l)ou? 

Car/.  2lMtI)  Icnnc,  ijoUr  .S^inl)ucf':?,  >uc  arc  forcinn  ,S^igf)  QJerman  oct» 
or§.  Dl)r  iuiff)  luac*  to  l)oac  l)nb  tl)c  ^riitilcnc  of  nctiiifl  at  ^ft§  "!JJinjcfti)'§ 
lucbbing.  iPlit  ^fortune  turucb  I)cr  bad,  nnb  onli»  contrnrlj  tuinb^  tijeix 
face,  toluarb^^  n^^.  jo  Juc  noJu  a|'f  of  ijour  A^iglincf-:*  Icnnc  to  ^jcrform, 
tI|ot  o\)X  long  joornclj  ff)nll  not  l)nnc  been  mnbc  in  nnin. 

Hamlet,  !&^crc  ijou  not,  fonic  ijcnvi^  ngo,  nt  tl)c  llnincrfitl)  of  2Bit» 
tcnbcrg?    ^  tl)int  3  fniu  Dou  net  tf)crc. 

Carl.     ?)c§,  Mour  .s>igl)ncf'J.    2iJc  arc  tfjc  fame  com^nnl). 

Hamlet,     Apnnc  l)00  ftill  got  tf|c  luI)oIc  cont^nni)? 

Carl,  !fiJe  nrc  not  fo  ftrong,  fincc  fontc  ftubcntsi  too!  n^J^otntmentS 
in  ^nmOurg.  Stilt  Jue  arc  cnoogf)  for  nianij  )jlcafant  G^omcbic^  anb 
Sragcbic'^. 

Hamlet,     San  l)ou  ginc  u§  a  :plai)  ti)i§  ncrl)  nigfjt? 

Carl,  ?)c^,  ijolir  A)ig(|ncf^,  Juc  arc  ftrong  cnougl)  anb  in  practice 
enoDgl)  for  ttfat 

Hamlet,  ^aitc  t)OU  ftill  tf)c  tijrcc  actrcf^c^  luit^  \)on?  2$c^  nfeb 
to  act  luclt. 

Carl.  9Jo,  onh)  tluo.  Dne  ftal)cb  6cf)inb  luitf)  f)cr  l^Dffianb  at  tfft 
©olirt  of  Sajonl). 

Hamlet,  2Bl)cn  ijou  lucre  at  SSittcnBcrg  l|oD  ^erforntcb  ©ontebicS 
ncrlj  luell;  on(l)  liou  Ijab  fome  fcllolu^  among  l)ol)  In^o  f^at  goob  clothes 
6l)t  birtl)  fl)irt§,  anb  fome  lu^o  ^ab  hoot§  6ot  no  f))i)r§. 

Carl.  ?)o0r  ls^iQi)nc\§,  it  i§  gcncralll)  a  fjarb  matter  to  get  euerlj= 
t^ing.    ^crl)a^§,  tt)cl)  tfjoliglit  tijel)  coulb  not  ribc. 


1604  The  Tragicall  Historie  of  Hamlet  89 

Enter  the  Players. 

Ham.  You  are  welcome  maifters,  welcome  all,  I  am  glad  to  fee  thee 
well,  welcome  good  friends,  oh  old  friend,  why  thy  face  is  va- 
land  fince  I  faw  thee  laft,  com'ft  thou  to  beard  me  in  Denmark? 
what  my  young  Lady  and  miftris,  by  lady  your  Ladifhippe  is 
nerer  to  heauen,  then  when  I  faw  you  laft  by  the  altitude  of  a 
chopine,  pray  God  your  voyce  Hike  a  peece  of  vncurrant  gold, 
bee  not  crackt  within  the  ring:  maifters  you  are  all  welcome, 
weele  ento't  like  friendly  Fankners,  fly  at  any  thing  we  fee, 
weele  haue  a  fpeech  ftraite,  come  giue  vs  a  taft  of  your  quality, 
come  a  pafsionate  fpeech. 

Player.     What  fpeech  my  good  Lord? 

Ham.  I  heard  thee  fpeake  me  a  fpeech  once,  but  it  was  neuer  adled, 
or  if  it  was,  not  aboue  once,  for  the  play  I  remember  pleafd  not 
the  million,  t'was  cauiary  to  the  general,  but  it  was  as  I  receaued 
it  &  others,  whofe  iudgments  in  fuch  matters  cried  in  the  top 
of  mine,  an  excellent  pflay,  well  digefted  in  the  fcenes,  fet  downe 
with  as  much  modeftie  as  cunning.  I  remember  one  fayd  there 
were  no  fallets  in  the  lines,  to  make  the  matter  fauory,  nor  no 
matter  in  the  phrafe  that  might  indite  the  author  of  affedion, 
but  cald  it  an  honeft  method,  as  wholefome  as  fweete,  &  by  very 
much,  more  handfome  then  fine :  one  fpeech  in't  I  chiefly  loued, 
t'was  Aeneas  talke  to  Dido,  &  there  about  of  it  efpecially  when  he 
fpeakes  of  Primas  flaughter,  if  it  hue  in  your  memory  begin  at 
this  line,  let  me  fee,  let  me  fee,  the  rugged  Pirhus  like  Th'ircanian 
beaft,  tis  not  fo,  it  beginnes  with  Pirrhiis,  the  rugged  Pirrhu:,,  he 
whofe  fable  Armes, 

Black  as  his  purpofe  did  the  night  refemble, 
When  he  lay  couched  in  th'omyonous  horfe. 
Hath  now  this  dread  and  black  compledion  fmeard. 
With  heraldy  more  difmall  head  to  foote, 
Now  is  he  totall  Gules  horridly  trickt 
With  blood  of  fathers,  mothers,  daughters,  fonnes, 
Bak'd  and  empafted  with  the  parching  ftrectes 
That  lend  a  tirranus  and  a  damned  light 
To  their  Lords  murther,  rofted  in  wrath  and  fire, 
And  thus  orc-cifed  with  coagulate  gore, 


90  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  Ur-Hamlet 


Hamlet.  ^  ant  o  great  loucr  of  i)ol)r  art  anb  onit)  f;>)ca!  to  tjoU  for 
t^e  6e§t;  for  it  t§  a  tntrror  in  hJljtcl)  one  niai)  fee  onc'§  olon  fa\)It§. 
fiiftcn.  ?)oi)  octcb  ot  SSittenBerg  o  ^iece  o6ol)t  Sling  PtV=,  PtV=,  fomc 
t^ing  life  ^;t?i)r=? 

Carl,     31^!  it  h)a§  <jcrl)0^§  one  ofiolit  tfte  great  Sling  ^^^t)rr^l)§. 

Hamlet.     SSerl|  Itfell);  6lJt  ^  ont  not  quite  fljre. 

Carl  3Boi)Ib  ijoUr  ^ig^nef§  name  a  cfjarocter  in  it,  or  falj  Ui^at  it 
toa§  a6oDt? 

Hamlet,    ^t  h)a§  abolit  one  6rotf)cr  ntl)rbering  onotijer  in  o  garbcn. 

Carl.  %^(d''§  t^e  ^iece.  ^ib  not  tl)e  Sling'^  Brother  ^olir  ^oi§on 
into  t^e  ting'g  eor? 

Hamlet,    ^c  bib»   J^l^at'g  it.   ©on  t)0D  ^lat)  t^at  ^jiecc  t^ig  encning? 

Car/.     D  i)e§,  cafilJ)  enoligl),  for  tijere  are  not  mani)  cl)oracter§. 

Hamlet.  SBeU,  t^en,  get  tf)c  ftoge  reobi)  in  t^e  greot  fjall.  ^f  1)00 
toant  ont)  6oarb§,  get  tljem  of  tJ)e  SUiofter  9)Jec^onic;  if  onl)tl)ing  from 
t^c  orntoUrl),  in  t^e  hioi)  of  cIot^e§,  o§f  t^e  SJJofter  of  t^e  atobe^  or 


1604  The  Tragicall  Historie  of  Hamlet  91 

With  eyes  like  Carbunkles,  the  helUfh  Phirrhus 

Old  grandfire  Prmm  feekes ;    fo  proceede  you. 

Pol.     Foregod  my  Lord  well  fpoken,  with  good  accent  and  good 

Play.     Anon  he  finds  him,  (difcretion. 

Striking  too  fhort  at  Greekes,  his  anticke  fword 

Rebellious  to  his  arme,  lies  where  it  fals, 

Repugnant  to  commaund;    vnequall   matcht, 

Pirrhns  at  Priam  driues,  in  rage  ftrikes  wide, 

But  with  the  whiffe  and  winde  of  his  fell  fword, 

Th'vnnerued  father  fals : 

Seeming  to  feele  this  blowe,  with  flaming"  top 

Stoopes  to  his  bafe ;   and  with  a  hiddious  crafh 

Takes  prifoner  Pirrhns  eare,  for  loe  his  fword 

Which  was  declining  on  the  milkie  head 

Of  reuerrent  Priam,  feem'd  i'th  ayre  to  ftick. 

So  as  a  painted  tirant  Pirrhns  ftood 

Like  a  newtrall  to  his  will  and  matter  , 

Did   nothing : 

But  as  we  often  fee  againft  fome  ftorme, 

A  filence  in  the  heauens,  the  racke  ftand  ftill, 

The  bold  winds  fpeechleffe,  and  the  orbe  belowe 

As  hufh  as  death,  anon  the  dreadfull  thunder 

Doth  rend  the  region,  fo  after  Pirrhns  paufe, 

A  rowfed  vengeance  fets  him  new  a  worke. 

And  neuer  did  the  Cyclops  hammers  fall, 

On  Marfes  Armor  forg'd  for  proofe  eterne. 

With  leffe  remorfe  then  Pirrhus  bleeding  fword 

Now  falls  on  Priam. 


Out,  out,  thou  ftrumpet  Fortune,  all  you  gods, 
In  general!  finod  take  away  her  power, 
Breake  all  the  fpokes,  and  follies  from  her  wheele. 
And  boulc  the  round  naue  downe  the  hill  of  heauen 
As  lowe  as  to  the  fiends. 
Pol.     This  is  too  long. 


92  The  Tragical  I  Historic  of  Hamlet  Ur-Hamlet 


tffc  ftehjorb.  SSe  luif^  tjoU  to  ^oue  lu^oteuer  l)ol)  bcftre.  ©ore  for  t^cm 
tocll. 

Coxamhus,     Sl^e,  ot|c,   ^Jj^II  trcot  t^ent  a§  t^ei)  bcfcrUe. 

Hamlet.  %xmi  t^tm,  ^  folj,  luell;  for  tJjcrc  t§  no  greater  ^raife  its 
Be  got  t^on  t^roug^  octor§.  2;^el|  troitel  far  anb  Jotbe*  ;Sf  treateb 
tocll  in  one  ;|jtace,  t^el)  cannot  cracf  too  niOc^  of  it  in  another;  for 
t^cir  ftoge  i§  o  little  Joortb  Jofjercin  tljclj  rc|)refent  Giifi\)i  all  i^at  ta!c§ 
;pIoce  in  t^e  great  hiorlb.  %\)t\)  reuiuc  t^c  olb  forgotten  ^iftorieg,  onb 
fet  Before  t)§  goob  ejant^(e§;  tljci)  :|)OBIifI}  aBroab  t^e  juftice  anb  ^raifc* 
hjort^l)  gouernment  of  ^rincc§;  ^Ijnifli  nice;  ejalt  nirttJe;  ^raife  i^t 
goob,  anb  fl^oto  l^ohi  t^rannt)  i§  ^Dnif^cb.  S^crefore  f^oljlb  i)oD  treat 
tl^em  tocIL 

Corambus,  SBell,  tl)e))  f^all  ^ane  t^eir  re^oarb  a§  tt}ctf  are  fUc^ 
greet  ^leo^Ic.    ^arctoell,  §)ol)r  ^ig^nef§»  [Exit, 


1604  The  Tras:icaJl  Historie  of  Hamlet 


^' 


93 


Ham.     It  Ihall  to  the  barbers  with  your  beard;  prethee  fay  on,  he's 
for  a  ligge,  or  a  tale  of  bawdry,  or  he  fleepes,  fay  on,  come  to  Hecuba 

Play.     But  who,  a  woe,  had  feene  the  mobled  Queene, 

Ham.     The  mobled  Queene 

Pol.     That's  good. 

Play.     Runne  barefoote  vp  and  downe,  threatening  the  flames 
With  Bifon  rehume,  a  clout  vppon  that  head 
Where  late  the  Diadem  ftood,  and  for  a  robe, 
About  her  lanck  and  all  ore  teamed  loynes, 
A  blancket  in  the  alarme  of  feare  caught  vp. 
Who  this  had  feene,  with  tongue  in  venom  fteept, 
Gainft  fortunes  ftate  would  treafon  haue  pronoun  ft ; 
But  if  the  gods  themfelues  did  fee  her  then, 
When  fhe  faw  Pirrluis  make  malicious  fport 
In  mincing  with  his  fword  her  hufband  limmes, 
The  inftantburft  of  clamor  that  fhe  made, 
Vnleffe  things  mortall  mooue  them  not  at  all. 
Would  haue  made  milch  the  burning  eyes  of  heauen 
And  pafsion  in  the  gods. 

Pol.  Looke  where  he  has  not  turned  his  cullour,  and  has  teares 
in's  eyes,  prethee  no  more. 

Ham.     Tis  well.  He  haue  thee  fpeake  out  the  reft  of  this  foone, 
Good  my  Lord  will  you  fee  the  players  well  beftowed ;    doe  you 
heare,  let  them  be  well  vfed.  for  they  are  the  abftrad  and  breefe 
Chronicles  of  the  time ;    after  your  death  you  were  better  haue  a 
bad  Epitaph  then  their  ill  report  while  you  Hue. 

Pol.     My  Lord,  I  will  vfe  them  according  to  their  defert. 

Ham.  Gods  bodkin  man,  mucli  better,  vfe  euery  man  after  his  de- 
fert, &  who  fhall  fcapc  whipping,  vfe  them  after  your  owne  honor 
and  dignity,  the  leffe  they  deferue  the  more  merrit  is  in  your  boun- 
ty.    Take  them  in. 

Pol.     Come  firs. 


Ham.     Follow  him  friends,  weele  heare  a  play  to  morrowe ;  doft 
thou  heare  me  old  friend,  can  you  play  the  murther  of  Gonzago? 
Play.     I  mv  Ix)rd. 


94  The  Tragical  I  Historic  of  Hamlet  Ur-Hamlet 


CarL    2Bc  fjUmOIt)  tfjont  l)oUr  A^igljnefg  for  tf)e§e  fcuoUr§;  anb  \mU 
fct  oboDt  it  at  once.   9lbteu,  Sire.  [Exit, 


1604  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  95 

Ham.  Weele  hate  to  morrowe  night,  you  could  for  neede  ftudy 
a  fpeech  of  fome  dofen  Unes,  or  fixteene  lines,  which  I  would  fet 
downe  and  infert  in't,  could  you  not? 

Play.     I  my  Lord. 

Ham.  Very  well,  followe  that  Lord,  &  looke  you  mock  him  not. 
My  good  friends,  He  leaue  you  tell  night,  you  are  welcome  to  Elforu- 
oure.  Exeunt  Pol.  and  Players. 

Rof.     Good  myLord.  Exeunt, 

Ham.     I  fo  God  buy  to  you,  now  I  am  alone, 
O  what  a  rogue  and  pefant  flaue  am  L 
Is  it  not  monftrous  that  this  player  heere 
But  in  a  fixion,  in  a  dreame  of  pafsion 
Could  force  his  foule  fo  to  his  owne  conceit 
That  from  her  working  all  the  vifage  wand, 
Teares  in  his  eyes,  diftra(5lion  in  his  afpect, 
A  broken  voyce,  an  his  whole  function  futing 
With  formes  to  his  conceit ;   and  all  for  nothing. 
For  Hecuba. 

What's  Hecuba  to  him,  or  he  to  her. 
That  he  fhould  weepe  for  her  ?  what  would  he  doe 
Had  he  the  motiue,  and  that  for  pafsion 
That  I  haue?  he  would  drowne  the  ftage  with  teares, 
And  cleaue  the  generall  eare  with  horrid  fpeech, 
Make  mad  the  guilty,  and  appale  the  free. 
Confound  the  ignorant,  and  amaze  indeede 
The  very  faculties  of  eyes  and  eares ;   yet  I, 
A  dull  and  muddy  metteld  raskall  peake, 
Like  lohn  a  dreames,  vnpregnant  of  my  caufe, 
And  can  fay  nothing ;    no  not  for  a  King, 
Vpon  whofe  property  and  moft  deare  life, 
A  damn'd  defeate  was  made :  am  I  a  coward, 
Who  cals  me  villaine,  breakes  my  pate  a  croffe, 
Pluckes  off  my  beard,  and  blowcs  it  in  my  face, 
Twekes  me  by  the  nofc,  giues  me  the  lie  i'th  throate 
As  deepe  as  to  the  lunges,  who  does  me  this, 
Hah,  s'wounds  I  fhould  take  it:  for  it  cannot  be 
But  I  am  pidgion  liuerd.  and  lack  gall 


96  The  Trogicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  TJr-Hamlet 


Hamlet,  X^cfc  actor§  come  moft  o^j^ortuncll).  ,t»orntto,  fcc^  an 
ct)c  on  tijc  fting,  nnb  fee  Juljetljer  l)e  tnrn  ^olc  or  cfjange  colour;  for  if 
f)e  bo,  i)c  i)a§  bone  tlje  tec'H.  Xi)c\c  ))(nl)ci^^f  luttf)  tljctr  fctnncb  ftoriel, 
often  p\}t  on  t{|c  trutf).  3'i(  tcU  ijoli  n  cnfc  in  ^oint.  ^t  ijn^peneb  in 
©erntnnl),  near  Strot|finri^.  ^^(  luife  l|nb  jnurbcrcb  Ijer  f)DfIJanb  fit) 
^)iercing  J)im  tJjroUgl)  tfie  Ijenrt  JuitI)  a  fl)ocmnfcr'§  nlul;  anb  tf)en,  luit^ 
tf)c  i)c\p  of  f)er  ^nrnmour,  filirieb  f)im  linbcr  tfjc  boorftc^J.  So  matters 
refteb  for  nine  long  ijenr^;  inbecb,  imtil  certain  actors  came  tf)at  lual) 
anb  acteb  a  tragebl)  containing  a  fimifar  murber.  %{)c  luife,  ivf}o  \va§ 
fitting  luitl)  ^er  ^jaromolir  at  tfte  piat\,  Juaf  ^ricfcb  in  Ijer  confciencc 
anb  Began  to  crl)  alonb  anb  to  ff)ricf  "Si^oe  i'i  me!  tfiat  tolicl)e§  mc! 
fo  it  hJO§  tffat  S  filleb  ml)  f)l)f6anb."  ff)e  tore  fjcr  Ijair,  ran  olit  of 
t^e  tfjeotrc  to  t^e  jubge  anb  confefsieb  tfjc  mUrber,  anb,  a§  ^er  ftorlj 
taia§  folinb  to  6e  trlie,  flje,  in  hccp  repentance  for  f)er  crime,  receineb 
tffc  confoIotion§  of  a  :prieft,  anb,  in  trlie  contrition,  furrenbereb  ^crfetf 
to  t^c  ejeclJtioner  anb  commenbeb  I|er  folil  to  6Job.  ^|?erl)a^§  mi| 
t)nclc=fatl)cr  InoUlb  ti]'o§  he  leb  to  expiation,  if  Jje  he  gliiltl).  Gome, 
^oratio,  )nc  luiU  go  anb  aluait  t^e  ^ing.  ^^ral),  l)oJueUer,  tafe  note 
of  ei)ert)t^ing,  for  ^  mnft  pia\}  a  part. 

Horatio,    ^oPt  ^igl^nefg,  3  loill  ^ii^  wt)  clje§  !ce|)  a  f^or^  loof  ont, 

[Exeunt, 


1604  The  Tragicall  Historie  of  Hamlet  97 

To  make  opprefsion  bitter,  or  ere  this 

I  fhould  a  fatted  all  the  region  kytes 

With  this  flaues  offall,  bloody  baudy  villaine, 

Why  what  an  Affe  am  I,  this  is  moft  braue, 

That  I  the  fonne  of  a  deere  murthered, 

Prompted  to  my  reuenge  by  heauen  and  hell, 

Muft  like  a  whore  vnpacke  my  hart  with  words, 

And  fall  a  curfing  like  a  very  drabbe ;   a  ftallyon,  fie  vppont,  foh. 

About  my  braines ;    hum,  I  haue  heard. 

That  guilty  creatures  fitting  at  a  play, 

Haue  by  the  wQvy  cunning  of  the  fcene, 

Beene  frooke  fo  to  the  foule,  that  prefently 

They  have  proclaim'd  their  malefadions : 

For  murther,  though  it  haue  no  tongue  will  fpeake 

With  moft  miraculous  organ :  He  haue  thefe  Players 

Play  fomething  like  the  murther  of  my  father 

Before  mine  Vncle,  He  obferue  his  lookes, 

He  tent  him  to  the  quicke,  if  a  doe  blench 

I  know  my  courfe.    The  fpirit  that  I  haue  feene 

May  be  a  deale,  and  the  deale  hath  power 

T'affume  a  pleafing  fhape,  yea,  and  iperhaps, 

Out  of  my  weaknes,  and  my  melancholy. 

As  he  is  very-  potent  with  fuch  fpirits, 

Abufes  me  to  damne  me ;   He  haue  grounds 

More  relatiue  then  this,  the  play's  the  thing 

Wherein  He  catch  the  confcience  of  the  King.  ^^'^Exit. 

Enter  King,  Qiieene,  Poloniiis,  Ophelia,  Rofencraus,  Gtiyl- 

dcnsterne,  Lords. 

King.     An  can  you  by  no  dirft  of  conference 
Get  from  him  why  he  puts  on  this  confufion. 
Grating  fo  harfhly  all  his  dayes  of  quiet 
With  turbulent  and  dangerous  lunacie? 

Rof.     He  dooes  confeffe  he  feeles  himfelfe  diftraded, 
But  from  what  caufe,  a  will  by  no  meanes  fpeake. 

Guyl.     Nor  doc  we  find  liiin  forward  to  be  founded, 
But  with  a  craftie  madnes  keepes  aloofe 


98 


The  Tragicall  Historie  of  Hamlet  Ur-Hamlet 


1604  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  99 

When  we  would  bring  him  on  to  lome  confefsion 
Of  his  true  ftate. 

Quee.    Did  he  receiue  you  well? 

Rof.     Moft  like  a  g-entJleman. 

Guyl.     But  with  much  forcing  of  liis  difpofition, 

Rof.     Niggard  of  question,   but  of  our   demaunds 
Moft  free  in  his  reply. 

Quee.     Did  you  affay  him  to  any  paftime? 

Rof.     Maddam,  it  fo  fell  out  that  certaine  Players 
We  ore-raught  on  the  way,  of  thefe  we  told  him, 
And  there  did  feeme  in  him  a  kind  of  ioy 
To  heare  of  it :  they  are  heere  about  the  Court, 
And  as  I  thinke,  they  haue  already  order 
This  night  to  play  before  him. 

Pol.     Tis  moft  true, 
And  he  befeecht  me  to  intreat  your  Majefties 
To  heare  and  fee  the  matter. 

King.     With  all  my  hart, 
And  it  doth  much  content  me 
To  heare  him  fo  inclin'd. 
Good  gentlemen  giue  him  a  further  edge. 
And  driue  his  purpofc  into  thefe  delights. 

Rof.     We  fhall  my  Lord.  Exeunt  Rof.  &  Guyl. 


King.     Sweet  Gertrard,  leaue  vs  two, 
For  we  haue  clofely  fent  for  Hamlet  hether, 
That  he  as  t'were  by  accedent,  may  heere 
Affront  Ophelia;  her  father  and  myfclfe, 


100 


The  Tra^icall  Historic  of  Hamlet  Ur-Hamlet 


1604  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  loi 

Wee'ie  fo  beftow  our  felves,  that  feeing  vnfeene, 
We  may  of  their  encounter  franckly  iudge, 
And  gather  by  him  as  he  is  behau'd, 
Ift  be  th'aflflidion  of  his  loue  or  no 
That  thus  he  fuffers  for. 

Quee.     I  Ihall  obey  you. 
And  for  your  part  Ophelia,  I  doe  wifh 
That  your  good  beauties  be  the  happy  caufe 
Of  Hamlets  wildnes,  fo  fhall  I  hope  your  vertues, 
Will  bring  him  to  his  wonted  way  againe, 
To  both  your  honours. 

Oph.     iMaddam,  I  wifh  it  may. 

Pol.     Ophelia  walke  you  heere,  gracious  fo  pleafe  you. 


We  will  beftow  our  felues ;  reade  on  this  booke, 
That  fhow  of  fuch  an  exercife  may  cuUour 
Your  lowlines ;  we  axe  oft  too  blame  in  this, 
Tis  too  much  proou'd,  that  with  deuotions  vifage 
And  pious  adion,  we  doe  fugar  ore 
The  deuill  himfeilfe. 

King.     O  tis  too  true, 
How  fmart  a  lafh  that  fpeech  doth  giue  my  confcience. 
The  harlots  cheeke  beautied  with  plaftring  art, 
Is  not  more  ougly  to  the  thing  that  helps  it. 
Then  is  my  deede  to  my  moft  painted  word : 
O  heauy  burthen. 

Enter  Hamlet. 

Pol.     I  heare  him  coming,  with-draw  my  Lord. 

Ham.     To  be,  or  not  to  be,  that  is  the  queftion, 
Whether  tis  nobler  in  the  minde  to  fuffer 
The  flings  and  arrowes  of  outragious  fortune, 
Or  to  take  Armes  againft  a  fea  of  troubles, 
And  by  opjx^fing,  end  them,  to  die  to  fleepe 
No  more,  and  by  a  fleepe,  to  fay  we  end 
The  hart-akc,  and  the  thoufand  naturall  fhocks 
That  flefh  is  heirc  to;  tis  a  confumatiou 


I02  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  TJr-Hamlet 


Ophelia,    ^  ^iroi)  ^obr  ^ig^nefg  to  tah  had  tfjc  jcmd  Witf)  W^kf) 
t)ob  ^refenteb  tne. 


1604  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  103 

Deuoutly  to  be  wifht  to  die  to  fleepe, 

To  fleepe,  perchance  to  dreame,  I  there's  the  rub, 

For  in  that  fleepe  of  death  what  dreames  may  come 

When  we  haue  fhuffled  off  this  mortall  coyle 

Muft  giue  vs  paufe,  there's  the  refpedl 

That  makes  calamitie  of  fo  long  life: 

For  who  would  beare  the  whips  and  fcornes  of  time, 

Th'oppreffors  wrong,  the  proude  mans  contumely, 

The  pangs  of  defpiz'd  loue,  the  lawes  delay. 

The  infolence  of  office,  and  the  fpumes 

That  patient  merrit  of  th'vu worthy  takes, 

When  he  himfelfe  might  his  quietas  make 

With  a  bare  bodkin ;  who  woulld  fardels  beare, 

To  grunt  and  fweat  vnder  a  wearie  life, 

But  that  the  dread  of  fometliing  after  death. 

The  vndifcouer'd  country,  from  whofe  borne 

No  trauiler  returnes,  puzzels  the  will, 

And  makes  vs  rather  beare  thofe  ills  we  haue. 

Then  flie  to  others  that  we  know  not  of, 

Thus  confcience  dooes  make  cowards, 

And  thus  the  natiue  hiew  of  refolution 

Is  fickled  ore  with  the  pale  caft  of  thought, 

And  enterprifes  of  great  pitch  and  moment. 

With  this  regard  theyr  currents  turne  awry, 

And  loofe  the  name  of  adlion.     Soft  you  now, 

The  faire  Ophelia,  Nimph  in  thy  orizons 

Be  all  my  finnes  remembred. 

Oph.     Good  my  Lord, 
How  dooes  your  honour  for  this  many  a  day? 

Havi.     I  humbly  thanke  you  well. 

Oph.     My  lord.  I  haue  remembrances  of  yours 
That  I  haue  longed  long  to  redeliuer, 
I  pray  you  now  receiue  them. 

Ham.     No,  not  I,  I  neuer  gaue  you  ought. 

Oph.     My  honor'd  Lord,  you  know  right  well  you  did, 
And  with  them  words  of  fo  fweet  breath  compofd 
As  made  thefe  things  more  rich,  their  perfume  loft. 

8 


I04  The  Trao;icall  Historic  of  llamlct  TTr-Hamlet 


Hamlet,  2iM)nt,  n«rl!  bujt  tljPU  Want  a  dUlOniib?  (iJet  tf)cc  nlual) 
from  inc — no,  come  Oncf.  -S^car,  c\\v\;  i)oii  ijoluifl  luomcn  bo  uotl)tnfl 
but  Icab  tf)c  l)ounn  men  oftrol).  ?)olir  Dcnlitl)  ijou  Omj  of  tl|c  n|)otJ)e= 
caricsi  anb  ^cbblcr^*.  iiiftcu:  3  luill  tc((  Ijou  n  ftori).  X()crc  \viw  once 
on  0  time  n  fniflljt  in  ^Jlniou,  Ju()o  fell  in  lone  JuitI)  a  labl),  lufjo,  to  (oof 
ot,  lutt'^'  tlje  Oiobbef'^  iJienli^^.  A^oiueacr,  luljcn  tlie  bebtimc  came,  tljc 
bribe  Juent  firft,  anb  bc(\an  to  imbref^  tjerfelf.  fo  first  fl)e  toof  out 
nn  clje  lul)icf)  Ijab  been  fij:eb  in  nerl)  cunninntl);  tf)en  f)er  front  teetf), 
mate  of  inorl),  oo  luell  tijat  tlje  life  lucre  not  to  be  jcen;  tben  §f)e 
toofbcb  bcrfelf,  nnb  amoli  ment  all  tfje  ^jaint  flje  bab  baubeb  bci*fclf 
mitb.  "Jlnb  noju,  Jobcn  tbe  bnfbonb  came  nt  loft  to  embrace  t^ev,  tbc 
moment  be  )a\v  f^cx  be  fbronf  bocf,  for  be  tboUrjbt  be  i)a'i>  §een  n  fce^tre. 
^nb  fo  it  i§  tbat  fucb  a§  boi"  tafe  in  tbe  bounn  feUoiuS.  So  liften  to  me. 
33l)t  ftab^  flirl!  9lo — go!  but  not  to  a  nUnnerb  Jubere  tloo  paix§  of 
f Hollers  he  at  tfic  bebfibe.  [Exit. 


1604  The  Tragicall  Historie  of  Hamlet  105 

Take  thefe  againe,  for  to  the  noble  mind 

Rich  gifts  wax  poore  when  giuers  prooue  vnkind, 

There  my  Lord. 

Ham.     Ha,  ha,  are  you  honeft. 

Oph.     Uy  Lord. 

Ham.     Are  you  faire? 

Oph.     What  meanes  your  Lordfhip  ? 

Ham.     That  if  you  be  honeft  &  faire,  you  fhould  admit 
no  difcourfe  to  your  beautie. 

Oph.     Could  beauty  my  Lord  haue  better  comerfe 
Then  with  honeftie? 

Ham.  I  truly,  for  the  power  of  beautie  will  fooner  transforme  ho- 
neftie from  what  it  is  to  a  bawde,  then  the  force  of  honeftie  can  tranf- 
late  beautie  into  his  likenes,  this  was  fometime  a  paradox,  but  now 
the  time  giues  it  proofe,  I  did  loue  you  once. 

Oph.     Indeed  my  Lord  you  made  me  belieue  fo. 

Ham.     You  fhould  not  haue  beleeu'd  me,  for  vertue  cannot  fo 
enoculat  our  old  ftock,  but  we  fhall  relifh  of  it,  I  loued  you  not. 


Oph.     I  was  the  more  deceiued. 

Ham.  Get  thee  a  Nunry,  why  would'ft  thou  be  a  breeder  of  fin- 
ners,  I  am  my  felfe  indifferent  honeft,  but  yet  I  could  accufe  mee  of 
fuch  things,  that  it  were  better  my  Mother  had  not  borne  mee :  I  am 
very  proude,  reuengefull,  ambitious,  with  more  offences  at  my  beck, 
then  I  haue  thoughts  to  put  them  in,  imagination  to  giue  them  fhape, 
or  time  to  ad  them  in  :  what  fhould  fuch  fellowes  as  I  do  crauling  be- 
tweene  earth  and  heauen,  wee  are  arrant  knaues,  beleeue  none  of  vs, 
goe  thy  waies  to  a  Nunry.     Where's  your  father? 

Oph.     At  home  my  Lord. 

Ham.     Let  the  doores  be  fhut  vpon  him. 
That  he  may  play  the  foole  no  where  but  in's  owne  houfe, 
Farewell. 

Oph.     O  hclj)c  him  you  fweet  heauens. 


io6  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  TJr-Hamlet 


Coramhus.  '^^  l^c  not  ^erfectl))  onb  ucrttabit)  tnob,  tnt)  groctobS 
£orb  onb  ^ng? 

King,  6orantbu§,  leaue  l)§.  2B^cn  hie  f)ol)c  neeb  of  t^ee  lue  hJtll 
fcnb  for  tl^ec,  [Exit  Corambus,]  2Be  Ijauc  fccn  llji^  jnabncf§  anb  rau= 
tng  of  if)t  prince's  miff  ttionber.  ^lit  tt  fceni§  to  u§  t^at  tf}i§  U  not 
genuine  ntobnef§,  BlJt,  rather  affectation  of  it,  3Sc  ntl)§t  contrinc 
tl^ot  ^c  Be  got  rib  of;  ot^erioife  |icrm  ntoi)  come  of  tffi§  fort  of  t^ing. 


1604  The  Tragicall  Historie  of  Hamlet  107 

Ham.  If  thou  dooft  mdsry,  He  giue  thee  this  plague  for  thy  dow- 
rie,  be  thou  as  chaft  as  yce,  as  pure  as  fnow,  thou  fhalt  not  efcape  ca- 
lumny ;  get  thee  to  a  Nunry,  farewell.  Or  if  thou  wilt  needes  marry, 
marr}'  a  foole,  for  wife  men  knowe  well  enough  what  monfters  you 
make  of  them ;  to  a  Nunr}-  goe,  and  quickly  to,  farewell. 

Oph.     Heauenly  powers  reftore  him. 

Hanv.  I  haue  heard  of  your  paintings  well  enough,  God  hath  gi- 
uen  you  one  face,  and  you  make  your  felfes  another,  you  gig  &  am- 
bel,  and  you  lift  you  nickname  Gods  creatures,  and  make  your  wan- 
tonnes  ignorance ;  goe  to.  He  no  more  on't,  it  hath  made  me  madde, 
I  fay  we  will  haue  no  mo  marriage,  thofe  that  are  married  alreadie,all 
but  one  fhall  Hue,  the  reft  fhall  keep  as  they  are :  to  a  Nunry  go.  Exit. 

Oph.     O  what  a  noble  mind  is  heere  orethrowne  ! 
The  Courtiers,  fouldiers,  fchollers,  eye,  tongue,  fword, 
Th 'expectation,  and  Rofe  of  the  faire  ftate, 
The  glaffe  of  fafhion,  and  the  mould  of  forme, 
Th'obferu'd  of  all  obferuers,  quite  quite  downe, 
And  I  of  Ladies  moft  reiedl  and  wretched, 
That  fuckt  the  honny  of  his  mufickt  vowes ; 
Now  fee  what  noble  and  moft  foueraigne  reafon 
Like  fweet  bells  iangled  out  of  time,  and  harfh, 
That  vnmatcht  forme,  and  ftature  of  blowne  youth 
Blafted  with  extacie,  o  woe  is  mee 
T'haue  feene  what  I  haue  feene,  fee  what  I  fee.  Exit, 


Enter  King  and  Polonius. 
King.     Loue,  his  affections  doe  not  that  way  tend. 
Not  what  he  fpeake,  though  it  lackt  forme  a  little. 
Was  not  like  madness,  there's  fomething  in  his  foule 
C're  which  his  melancholy  fits  on  brood. 
And  I  doe  doubt,  the  hatch  and  the  difclofe 
Will  be  fome  danger ;  which  for  to  preuent, 
I  haue  in  quick  determination 


io8  The  Tragical!  Historic  of  Hamlet  Ur-Hamlet 


Hamlet,  ^t  i§  Better  to  ^auc  oil  tfje  pxo!f>cxtu§,  33i)t  ^jorbon  mt 
onb  Itftcn,  ?)oti  bo  not  oItoai)§  ffant  t^e  chance  of  Rearing  i)oDr  critic^S 
opinion  of  i)oD.  ©owe  of  t^eiit  ^ob  filf  ftocfing§  anb  to^itc  f^oc§,  6ut 
hlad  f)at§  on  t^eir  ^eob§;  anb  o6oot  a§  mani)  feot^erg  fieloio  a§  ahont, 
^  tffint  t^et)  m\)§t  ^one  gone  to  6eb  Uiit^  t^cm  for  ntg^tco|j0.  %W^ 
Bob,  But  eofili)  oltereb;  onb  tcH  fonte  of  t^ent  t^ot  to^en  t^ei)  act  t^e 
pavt  of  0  !ing  or  a  prince  t^ei)  f^onlb  not  leer  tu^en  t^ei)  ^oti  com^)Ii= 
ment§  to  lobieS,  or  ftrlit  life  ptacocU  ox  S^onif^  .^tbaIgo§.  9^onf 
kog^^  at  foci)  t^ing§.  9iotUroI  eofe  i§  tl)e  Beft.  ^e  Jr)I)o  )jlai)§  o 
!ing  nxuft  foncl)  t^at  boring  t^e  ^loi)  Ije  i§  a  fing;  onb  a  ^eofont  ntU^t 
Be  0  :peafant, 

Carl  ^  iah  i)oUr  ^ig^nef§  correction  )nit^  ^tintBIe  reflect,  SSe 
toil!  tri)  to  ho  Better  for  t^e  future. 


1604  The  Tragicall  Historie  of  Hamlet  109 

Thus  fet  it  downe :  he  fhall  with  fpeede  to  England, 

For  the  demaund  of  our  negleded  tribute, 

Haply  the  feas,  and  countries  different, 

With  variable  obieds,  fhall  expell 

This  fomething  fetled  matter  in  his  hart, 

Whereon  his  braines  ftill  beating 

Puts  him  thus  from  fafhion  of  himfelfe. 

What  thinke  you  on't? 

Pol.     It  fhall  doe  well. 
But  yet  doe  I  belieue  the  origin  and  comencement  of  his  greefe, 
Sprung  from  negleded  loue :  How  now  Ophelia? 
You  neede  not  tell  vs  what  Lord  Hamlet  faid, 
We  heard  it  all :  my  Lord,  doe  as  you  pleafe, 
But  if  you  hold  it  fit,  after  the  play, 
Let  his  Queene-mother  all  alone  intreate  him 
To  fhow  his  griefe,  let  her  be  round  with  him, 
And  He  be  plac'd  (fo  pleafe  you)  in  the  care 
Of  all  their  conference,  if  fhe  find  him  not. 
To  England  fend  him :  or  confine  him  where 
Your  wifedome  beft  fhall  thinke. 

King.     It  fhall  be  fo, 
Madness  in  great  ones  must  not  vnmatcht  goe.  Exeunt. 

Enter  Hamlet,  and  three  of  the  Players. 

Ham.  Speake  the  fpeech  I  pray  you  as  I  pronoun 'd  it  to  you,  trip- 
pingly on  the  tongue,  but  if  you  mouth  it  as  many  of  our  Players  do, 
I  had  as  Hue  the  towne  cryer  fpoke  my  lines,  nor  doe  not  faw  the  ayre 
too  much  with  }'our  hand  thus,  but  vfe  all  gently,  for  in  the  very  tor- 
rent tempeft,  and  as  I  may  fay,  whirlwind  of  your  paffion,  you  muft 
acquire  and  beget  a  temperance,  that  may  giue  it  fmoothneffe,  o  it 
offends  mee  to  the  foule,  to  heare  a  robuftious  perwig-pated  fellowe 
tere  a  paffion  to  totters,  to  very  rags,to  fplect  the  eares  of  the  ground- 
lings, who  for  the  moft  part  are  capable  of  nothing  but  inexplica- 
ble dumbe  fhowes,  and  noyfe :  I  would  haue  fuch  a  fellow  whilst  for 
ore-d<"K>ing  Termagant,  it  out   Herods  Herod,  pray  you  auoyde  it. 

Plaxcr.     I  warrant  vour  honour. 


no  The  Tragicall  Historie  of  Hamlet  TJr-Hamlet 


Hamlet,  9Kl|  ejccflent  frtcnb  ^orotio,  it  t§  t^roUglj  tf)t§  ^jretenbeb 
mobnef§  ii)ai  ^  ^o|)e  for  an  o^j^ortlmiti)  of  reuengtng  mil  fat^er^g  bcot^. 
g)oD  fnoto,  ^olueuer,  if)(ii  mi)  fntfjcr  t§  a()uni)§  fDrroDnbeb  6i)  gUarb§. 
(So  it  mai)  mifcorrij.  S^oulb  i)ol)  chance  to  finb  mi)  beab  6obi),  let 
\i  Be  ^onora6(i)  ftbrieb:  for  at  t^e  firft  occafion  '^  mid  matc^  mi)fe(f 
ogoinft  ^im. 

Horatio,  S  entreat  ?)oDr  .§ig^nef§  to  bo  no  #ijc^  t^ing.  ^t  mai)  fie 
t^ot  t^e  @^oft  5a§  beceineb  i)oij. 


1604  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  iii 

Hamlet.  Be  not  too  tame  neither,  but  let  your  owne  difcretion  be 
your  tutor,  fute  the  adlion  to  the  word,  the  word  to  the  adlion,  with 
this  fpedall  obferuance,  that  you  ore-fteppe  not  the  modeftie  of  na- 
ture :  For  any  thing  fo  ore-doone,  is  from  the  purpofe  of  playing, 
whofe  end  both  at  the  firft,  and  nowe,  was  and  is,  to  holde  as  twere 
the  Mirrour  vp  to  nature,  to  fhow  vertue  her  feature ;  fcorne  her  own 
Image,  and  the  very  age  and  body  of  the  time  his  forme  and  pref f ure ; 
Now  this  ouer-done,  or  come  tardie  off,  though  it  makes  the  vnskil- 
full  laugh,  cannot  but  make  the  iudicious  greeve,  the  cenfure  of 
which  one,  muft  in  your  allowance  ore-weigh  a  whole  Theater  of  o- 
thers,  O  there  be  Players  that  I  haue  feene  play,  and  heard  others 
prayfd,  and  that  highly,  not  to  fpeake  it  prophanely,  that  neither  ha- 
uing  th 'accent  of  Chriftians,  nor  the  gate  of  Chriftian,  Pagan,  nor 
man,  haue  fo  ftrutted  &  bellowed,  that  I  haue  thought  fome  of  Na- 
tures lornimen  had  made  men,  and  not  made  them  well,  they  imita- 
ted humanitie  fo  abhominably. 

Player.     I  hope  we  haue  reform'd  that  indifferently  with  vs. 

Ham.  O  reforme  it  altogether,  and  let  thofe  that  play  your  clownes 
fpeake  no  more  then  is  fet  downe  for  them,  for  there  be  of  them  that 
wil  themfelues  laugh,  to  fet  on  fome  quantitie  of  barraine  fpectators 
to  laugh  to,  though  in  the  meane  time,  fome  neceffary  queftion  of 
the  play  be  then  to  be  confidered,  that's  villanous,  and  fhewes  a  moft 
pittifuU  ambition  in  the  foole  that  vfes  it :  goe  make  you  readie.  How 
now  my  Lord,  will  the  King  heare  this  peece  of  worke  ? 

Enter  Polonius,  Guyldensterne ,  &  Rofencraus. 

Pol.     And  the  Queene  to,  and  that  prefently. 

Ham.  Bid  the  Players  make  haft.  Will  you  two  help  to  haften  the, 

Rof.     I  my  Lord.  Exeunt  they  two. 

Ham.     What  howc,  Horatio.  Enter  Horatio. 

Hora.     Heere  fweet  Lord,  at  your  feruice. 

Ham.     Horatio,  thoui  art  een  as  iuft  a  man. 
As  ere  my  conuerfation  copt  withall. 

Hor.     O  my  deere  Lord. 

Ham.     Nay,  doc   not  thinke    I    flatUr. 
For  what  afkianccnu  iit  may  I  hope  from  thee 
That  no  reucniew  haft  but  thy  good  fpirits 


112  The   Tragical!  Historic  of  Hamlet  TJr-Hamlet 


Hamlet,  O  no!  I)t§  tt)oxh§  Joerc  too  plain,  ^  cannot  6l)t  Mknc 
^im.    ^nt  tot)at  ncloS  i§  tfte  fool  Bringing  nolo? 

Hamlet,  Konte,  |»ortttio,  ^  nm  going;  nnb  front  tlji§  ^oor,  all  mi) 
tl|o0g^t  f^aU  6c  to  finb  t^e  ^ing  alone,  t^at  ^  mal)  tafe  ^i§  life  a§  ^e 
^a§  tafen  mi)  fat^cr'g. 

Horatio,     Wt}  fiorb,  6e  ijrobent,  left  i)oO  tjoOrfcIf  f^oDlb  come  to 

f^avm, 

Hamlet,  3;^cfe  actors  come  jDft  in  time.  S  ^fill  Dfe  t^em  to  teft 
t^e  @f)oft;  m!)et^er  or  no  it  ^a§  tolb  tljc  trotf).  ^  ^oiie  §ecn  a  tragcbi) 
acteb  m^erein  one  brotfjcr  fill§  onotJjer  in  a  garben;  tf)i§  t^ei)  f^oU  act. 
3f  tffc  aing  change  color,   tljat  luill  nerifi)   Jo^ot  t^e  @^oft  faija, 

S  fijall,  ^  mnft,  :3  toiK  rencnge  tf)c  murbcroos  fact. 

Sf  not  6i)  ftrotagem,  S  ioi^I  ^rca^  "^^  i«  o<^*- 


1604  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  113 

To  feede  and  clothe  thee,  why  fhould  the  poore  be  flattered? 

No,  let  the  candied  tongne  licke  ablurd  pompe, 

And  crooke  the  pregnant  hindges  of  the  knee 

Where  thrift  may  follow  fanning;  dooft  thou  heare. 

Since  my  deare  foule  was  miftris  of  her  choice. 

And  could  of  men  diftinguilh  her  eledion, 

S'hath  feald  thee  for  herfelfe,  for  thou  haft  been 

As  one  in  fufiFring  all  that  fuffers  nothing, 

A  man  that  Fortunes  buffets  and  rewards 

Haft  tane  with  equall  thanks ;  and  bleft  are  thofe 

W^hofe  blood  and  iudgment  are  fo  well  comedled, 

That  they  are  not  a  pype  for  Fortunes  finger 

To  found  what  ftop  fhe  pleafe ;  giue  me  that  man 

That  is  not  pafsions  flaue,  and  I  will  weare  him 

In  my  harts  core,  I  in  my  hart  of  hart 

As  I  doe  thee.     Something  too  much  of  this, 

There  is  a  play  to  night  before  the  King, 

One  fcene  of  it  comes  neere  the  circumftance 

Which  I  haue  told  thee  of  my  fathers  death, 

I  prethee  when  thou  feeft  that  a(5l  a  foote, 

Euen  with  the  very  comment  of  thy  foule 

Obferue  my  Vncle,  if  his  occulted  g'uilt 

Doe  not  it  felfe  vnkennill  in  one  fpeech, 

It  is  a  damned  ghoft  that  we  haue  feene, 

And  my  imaginations  are  as  foule 

As  Vulcans  ftithy ;  giue  him  heedfull  note, 

For  I  mine  eyes  will  riuet  to  his  face. 

And  after  we  will  both  our  iudgemcnts  ioyne 

In  cenfure  of  his  feeming. 

Her.     Well  my  Lord, 
If  a  ftcale  ought  the  whilft  this  play  is  placing 
And    fcapc  detedled,  I  will  play  the  theft. 

Enter  Trumpets  and  Kettle  Drummes,  King,  Queene, 
Polonins,  Ophelia. 
Ham.     They  are  comming  to  the  play.     I  niufi  be  idle. 
Get  you  a  place. 


114  ^^'^  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  Ur-Hamlet 

King,  3!)Ji)  woft  bear  confort.  S  tritft  tfjnt  \)oM  iuill  no)u  fltitc  oucr 
tjotir  forrohJtnfl  onb  let  ^Icafure  tnfe  it§  ^jlace.  f^or  tfiere  JutH  ttoio  6e 
Before  fu^^jer  o  comebt)  6l|  tlije  ©ermnn  nctor§,  foHolueb  after  fu^^er  64| 
a  granb  BaHet, 

Qwmi.  ^  fljall  fie  Ijo))))ij  to  luitnefs  tfjefe  entertointitentl.  S3ut,  aS 
for  «tt)felf,  S  om  filleb  loit!)  a  forcliobtng  of  fomet^tng,  S  ^no^j  not 
hi^at,  tl)at  a)))jroac^e§  fwiftli). 

KiH^.  23e  at  ^eoce.  ';|>rtnce  .t>am(et,  tue  Unbcrftanb  t^at  foine  actors 
l^ouc  orrtueb  to  ^rcfent  a  comebi)  to  D§  tl)i§  euentng — 1§  it  not  fo? 

Hamlet,  ?)e§,  father.  %^t\)  affeb  ^ermif^ton  of  nte  anb  ^  ^onc 
gane  it,  anb  §)ot)r  aJiajeftl)  luill,  S  tru^t,  a^^jroUe  m\)  acts. 


i^w^.  W)<ii  finb  of  a  ^lot  i§  it?  S^ere  i§  nothing  offenfiuc  or 
ttblgar  in  it,  ^  ^opt, 

Hamlet,  %i)t  pUi  i§  a  goob  one.  ^t  connot  effect  US  hj^ofe  cott= 
fcicnceS  are  not  effectcb  fit)  it. 

King,  aSelf,  luljcre  are  i^t\),  Set  t^cm  ^aften.  SBe  ItiiU  fie  glab  to 
fee  hj^al  ©erraonS  can  bo. 

Hamlet,    aKorf^all— Set  t^c  actors  fiegin  oS  foon  aS  t^t\)  are  rcab^. 


1604  The  Tragical]  Historic  of  Hamlet  115 

King.     How  fares  our  cofin  Hamlet? 

Ham.     Excellent  yfaith, 
Of  the  Camelions  difh,  I  eate  the  ayre, 
Promifcram'd,  you  cannot  feede  Capons  fo. 

King.     I  haue  nothing  with  this  aunfwer  Hamlet, 
Thefe  words  are  not  mine. 

Ham.     No,  nor  mine  now  my  Lord. 
You  playd  once  i'ith  \'niuerfitie  you  fay, 

Pol.     That  did  I  my  Lord,  and  was  accounted  a  good  Ador, 

Ham.     What  did  wu  ena6l? 

Pol.     I  did  enacl  Julius  Cccsar,  I  was  kild  i'th  Capital], 
Brutus  kild  mee. 

Ham.     It  was  a  brute  part  of  him  to  kiE  fo  capitall  a  calfe  there, 
Be  the  Players  readie? 

Rof.     I  my  Lord,  they  ftay  vpon  your  patience. 

Ger.     Come  hether  my  deere  Hamlet,  fit  by  me. 

Ham.     No  good  mother,  heere's  mettle  more  attradliue. 

Pol.     O  ho,  doe  you  marke  that. 

Ham.     Lady  fhall  I  lie  in  your  lap? 

Oph.     No  my  Lord. 

Ham.     Doe  you  tliinke  I  meant  country  matters? 

Oph.     I  thinke  nothing  my  Lord. 

Ham.     That's  a  fay  re  thought  to  lye  betweene  maydes  legs. 

Oph.     What  is  my  Lord, 

Ham.     Nothing. 

Oph.     You  are  merry  my  Lord. 

Ham.     Who  I? 

Oph.     I  my  Lord. 

Ha)u.  O  God  your  onely  ligge-maker,  what  fhould  a  man  do  but 
be  merry,  for  looke  you  how  cheerfully  my  mother  lookes,  and  my 
father  died  within's  two  howres. 

Oph.     Nay,  tis  twice  two  months  my  Lord. 

Ham.  So  long,  nay  then  let  the  deule  weare  blacke,  for  He  haue  a 
fute  of  fables  ;  o  hcauens,  die  two  months  agoe,  and  not  forgotten  yet, 
then  there's  hoj)e  a  great  mans  memorie  may  out-Hue  his  life  halfe  a 
yeere,  but  her  Lady  a  muft  build  Churches  then,  or  els  fhall  a  fuffer 


ii6  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  Ur-Hamlet 


Here  enter  the  play.  The  King  and  Queen  enter  lovingly  together. 
He  makes  as  if  about  to  lie  down  to  sleep  and  the  Queen  seems  to  beg 
him  not  to  do  so.  He,  however,  lies  down  and  presently  falls  asleep. 
After  he  is  asleep  the  Queen  kisses  him — and  exit.  The  King's  brother 
enters,  pours  something  into  the  King's  ear  from  a  small  bottle — and 
exit. 


1604  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  iiy 

not  thinking  on,  with  the  Hobb)-horfe,  whofe  Epitaph  is,  for  a,  for  o, 
the  hobby-horfe  is  forgot. 

The  Trumpets  founds.  Dumbe  fJiozv  followes: 
Enter  a  King  and  a  Queene,the  Qii^ene  embracing  him,and  he  her, 
he  takes  her  vp,  and  declines  his  Head  vpon  her  necke,  he  lyes  him 
doii^ne  upon  a  bancke  of  flozvers,  fhe  feeing  him  afleepe,  leaiies  him; 
anon  come  in  another  m-an,  takes  off  his  crozvne,  kiffes  it,  pours  poy- 
fon  in  the  fleepers  eares,  and  leaues  him  :  the  Queene  returnes,  finds 
tlie  King  dead,  makes  a  paffionate  aBion,  the  poyfner  with  fome  three 
or  foure  come  in  againe,  feeme  to  condole  with  her,  the  dead  body  is 
carried  away,  the  poyfner  wooes  the  Queene  with  gifts,  fhee  feenies 
harfh  awhile,  but  in  the  end  accepts  loue. 

Oph.     What  meanes  this  my  Lord? 

Ha)n.     Marry  this  munching  Malhco,  it  meanes  mifchiefe. 

Oph.     Behke  this  fhow  imports  the  argument  of  the  play. 

Ham.     We  fhall  know  by  this  fellow,  Enter  Prologue. 

The  Players  cannot  keepe,  they'le  tell  all. 

Oph.     Will  a  tell  vs  what  this  fhow  meant? 

Ham.     I,  or  any  fhow  that  }ou  will  fhow  him,  be  not  you  afham'd 
to  fhow,  heele  not  fhame  to  tell  you  what  it  meanes. 

Oph.     You  are  naught,  you  are  naught,  He  mark  the  play. 

Prologue.     For  vs  and  for  our  Tragedie, 
Heere  ftooping  to  your  clemence, 
We  begge  your  hearing  patiently. 

Ham.     Is  this  a  Prologue,  or  the  pofie  of  a  ring? 

Oph.     Tis  breefe  my  Lord. 

Ham.     As  womans  loue. 

Enter  King  and  Queene. 
King.     Full  thirtie  times  Itath  Phebus  cart  gone  round 
Ncptnnes  fait  wafh,  and  Tellus  orb'd  the  ground, 
And  thirtie  dofen  Moones  with  borrowed  fheene 
About  the  world  hauc  times  twelue  thirties  been 
Since  loue  our  harts,  and  Hymen  did  our  hands 
Vnite  comutuall  in  moft  facrcd  bands. 


jjg  The'Tragicall  Historie  of  Hamlet  TJr-Hamlet 


1604  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  119 

Queen.     So  many  ioutneyes  may  the  Sumie  and  Moone 
Make  vs  againe  count  ore  ere  loue  be  doone, 
But  woe  is  me,  you  are,  fo  ficke  of  late, 
So  farre  from  cheere,  and  from  our  former  ftate, 
That  I  diftruft  you,  yet  though  I  diftruft, 
Difcomfort  you  my  Lord  it  nothing  muft. 


For  women  feare  too  much,  euen  as  they  loue, 

And  womens  feare  and  loue  hold  quantitie, 

Eyther  none,  in  neither  ought,  or  in  extremitie, 

Now  what  my  Lord  is  proofe  hath  made  you  know, 

And  as  my  loue  is  ciz'd,  my  feare  is  fo, 

Where  loue  is  great,  the  litleft  doubts  are  feare, 

Where  little  feares  grow  great,  great  loue  growes  there. 

King.     Faith  I  muft  leaue  thee  loue,  and  fhortly  to, 
My  operant  powers  their  fundlions  leaue  to  do, 
And  thou  fhalt  hue  in  this  faire  world  behind, 
Honord,  belou'd,  and  haply  one  as  kind. 
For  husband  fhalt  thou. 

Quee.     O  confound  the  reft. 
Such  loue  muft  needes  be  treafon  in  my  breft, 
In  fecond  husband  let  me  be  accurft. 

None  wed  the  fecond,  but  who  kild  the  firft,  Ham.     That's 

The  inftances  that  fecond  marriage  moue  wormwood 

Are  bafe  refpeds  of  thrift,  but  none  of  loue, 
A  fecond  time  I  kill  my  husband  dead. 
When  fecond  hufband  kifses  me  in  bed. 

King.     I  doe  belieue  you  thinke  what  now  you  fpeake, 
But  what  we  doe  determine,  oft  we  breake, 
Purjx>fe  is  but  the  flaue  to  memorie. 
Of  violent  birth,  but  jxxjre  validitie. 
Which  now  the  fruits  vnripe  fticks  on  the  tree, 
But  fall  vnfhakcn  when  they  mellow  bee. 
Moft  necefsary  tis  that  we  forget 
To  pay  our  f clues  what  to  our  fdues  is  debt, 
What  to  our  fclucs  in  y)'^«io!i  \>.r  ])r(i\\y)ie, 

9 


lao 


The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  TJr-Hamlet 


1604  The  Tragicall  Historie  of  Hamlet  121 

The  pafsion  ending-,  doth  the  purpofe  lofe, 

The  violence  of  eyther,  griefe,  or  ioy, 

Their  owne  ennadures  with  themfelues  deftroy, 

Where  ioy  mo  ft  reuels,  grief  e  doth  moft  lament, 

Greefe  ioy,  ioy  griefes,  on  flender  accedent. 

This  world  is  not  for  aye,  nor  tis  not  ftrange, 

That  euen  our  loues  fhould  with  our  fortunes  change : 

For  tis  a  queftion  left  vs  yet  to  proue, 

Whether  loue  lead  fortune,  or  els  fortune  loue. 


The  great  man  downe,  you  marke  his  fauourite  flyes, 

The  poore  aduaunc'd,  makes  friends  of  enemies, 

And  hetherto  doth  louie  on  fortune  tend, 

For  who  not  needes,  fhall  neuer  lacke  a  friend, 

And  who  in  want  a  hollow  friend  doth  try, 

Diredly  feafons  him  his  enemy. 

But  orderly  to  end  where  I  begunne, 

Our  wills  and  fates  doc  fo  contrary  runne, 

That  our  deuifes  ftill  are  ouerthrowne. 

Our  thoughts  are  ours,  their  ends  none  of  our  owne, 

So  thinke  thou  wilt  no  fecond  husband  wed, 

But  die  thy  thoughts  when  they  firft  Lord  is  dead. 

Quee.     Nor  earth  to  me  giue  foode,  nor  heauen  light, 
Sport  and  repofe  lock  from  me  day  and  night. 
To  defperation  tume  my  truft  and  hope, 
And  Anchors  cheere  in  prifon  be  my  fcope,  ^ 

Each  oppofite  that  blancks  the  face  of  ioy, 
Meete  what  I  would  haue  well,  and  it  deftroy, 

Both  heere  and  hence  purfue  me  lafting  ftrife,     Ham.  If  fhe  fhould 
If  once  I  be  a  widdow,  euer  I  be  a  wife.  breake  it  now. 

King.     Tis  deeply  fwome,  fweet  leaue  me  heere  a  while, 
My  fpirits  grow  dull,  and  faine  I  would  beguile 
The  tedious  day  with  fleepe. 

Quee.     Sleqje  rock  thy  braine. 
And  neuer  come  mifchance  betweene  vs  twainc.  Exeunt. 


122  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  TJr-Hamlet 


Hamlet.  %^x§  t§  ^tng  ^l)rru§,  itiljo  floe§  into  ii\t  gorbcn  to  \\ttp, 
%\)t  Cliccn  bcp  l^itn  not  to  bo  \o,  bDt  ncuert^elef^  ^e  Iic§  bohin.  ^I^c 
<>oor  little  hiifc  goc§  otoat).  ©cc,  t^cre  comcS  t^c  Brother  of  tl^c  Sling 
toitl^  juice  of  ;!^ebonon.  ^e  ^)oUr§  it  into  t^c  ^ing*§  ear.  ^e^anon^  oS 
foon  o§  it  ntije§  toitl^  tl^e  6Ioob  of  o  mon,  fills  ^int  inftantit). 


1604  The  Tragicall  Historie  of  Hamlet  123 

Ham.     Madam,  how  like  you  this  play? 

Quee.     The  Lady  doth  proteft  too  much  mee  thinks. 

Ha^i.     O  but  fhee'le  keepe  her  word. 

King.     Hauje  you  heard  the  argument  ?  is  there  no  offence  in't  ? 

Ham.     No,  no,  they  do  but  ieft,  poyfon  in  ieft,  no  offence  i'th  world. 

Kmg.     What  doe  you  call  the  play? 

Hant:  The  Moufetrap,  mary  how  tropically,  this  play  is  the  Image 
of  a  murther  doone  in  Vienna,  Gonzago  is  the  Dukes  name,  his  wife 
Baptista,  you  fhall  fee  anon,  tis  a  knauifh  peece  of  worke,but  what  of 
that  ?  your  Maieftie,  and  wee  that  haue  free  foules,  it  touches  vs  not, 
let  the  gauled  lade  winch,  our  withers  are  vnwrong.  This  is  one  Lu- 
cianus.  Nephew  to  the  King. 

Enter  Lucianus. 

Oph.    You  are  as  good  as  a  Chorus  my  Lord. 

Ham.     I  could  interpret  between  you  and  your  loue 


If  I  could  fee  the  puppets  dallying. 

Oph.     You  are  keene  my  lord,  you  are  keene. 

Ham.     It  would  coft  you  a  groning  to  take  off  mine  edge. 

Oph.     Still  better  and  worfe. 

Ham.  So  you  mi f take  your  husbands.  Beginne  murtherer,  leaue 
thy  damnable  faces  and  begin,  come,  the  croking  Rauen  doth  bellow 
for  reuenge. 

Luc.     Thoughts  black,  hands  apt,  drugges  fit,  and  time  agreeing, 
Confiderat  feafon  els  no  creature  feeing, 
Thou  mixture  ranck,  of  midnight  weedes  collected, 
With  Hecats  ban  thrice  blafted,  thrice  inueded, 
Thy  natural!  magicke,  and  dire  property, 
On  wholfome  life  vfurps  immediately. 

Ham.  A  poyfons  him  i'th  Garden  for  his  eftate,  his  names  Gonza- 
go, the  ftory  is  extant,  and  written  in  very  choice  Italian,  you  fhall  fee 
anon  how  the  murtherer  gets  the  loue  of  Gonzagoes  wife. 

Oph.     The  King  rifes. 


124  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  TTr-Hamlet 

King.    XonfitS,  lanterns,  ^crc!   Xfic  plati  bocS  not  pUa\t  mt. 

Cov.  ^ttfleS,  ottcnbnnts!  Hg^t  t^c  torches.  %^t  ^tng  bcfircS  U 
bc^jort.  ^MtxX),  Hfl^t  t^ofc  lights,  ^^c  actors  IjaUc  niabc  a  bab  niefs  of 
things. 

^jelint  ATzw^,  Ouccn,  ©orambis  anb  t^c  6obrt. 

//flwi/^/  (tttocfing):  2;orc^c§  ^crc!  2;^c  <)Iat)  boc§  not  pUa^t  ns! 
gijotti  i)ob  fee  tl)e  gljoft  bib  not  He  t^  me!  ^oratio!  ^fJoh)  Victors  t)olJ 
con  tofe  ijour  lenue.  %1i\t  Sing  itiaS  bif<)Icofcb,  it  fecntS,  before  i)ol)  l^ab 
conclubeb  t^e  ^Jtcce,  but  hie  are  cntirelt)  fatifficb,  anb  ^oratio  hjid  ^ai) 
)|ob  i)oUr  earnings  just  t^e  Same. 

Car/.    SBc  t^an!  ijob,  anb  bcfire  t^at  obr  ^jofs^orts  be  giuen  bS. 

{Exeunt  the  Actors, 

Hamlet,  §)ob  f^all  Ijaue  t^cm.  ^o\o  '^  con  ))roceeb  mit^  ntt)  rc« 
jienge  confibentlij.  ^ib  i)oU  fee  ^oto  tl^e  ting  c^ongeb  color  hj^en  ^e 
^crceincb  tl^e  brift  of  t^e  pU\)'i 

Horatio,    ?)e§,  ?)obr  ^ig^nefs.    ^  regarb  t^c  <)roof  oS  conclbfiuc! 

Hamlet,  Stnb  fo  nit)  fot^er  hioS  mbrbcrcb,  jbft  oS  t^e  <)Iat)  bcfcribcS* 
Sbt  ;3  toill  be  qbits  toit^  tl^e  mbrberer. 

Cor,  S^c  octors  hjill  get  a  ))oor  rehjorb  for  t^cir  octing  ^os 
tntenfclti  bif^Ieofeb  t^e  Sing. 

Ham,  %\)t  toorfc  t^et)  ore  rchjorbeb  btj  t^c  Sing,  t^e  Better  tl^ci) 
loin  Be  rctoorbeb  B^  ^conen. 

Corambus,    ?)obr  ^ig^nefs,  bo  actors  reollt)  get  into  ^eonen? 

Hamlet,  Zffinf  t)oD,  tjob  olb  fool,  t^ot  t^et)  toon't  finb  o  corner 
tljere?    S3c  off,  anb  treat  t^ent  hiell. 


1604  The  Tragicall  Historie  of  Hamlet  I25 

Quee.     How  fares  my  Lord? 

Pol.     Giue  ore  the  play. 

King.     Giue  me  fome  light,  away. 

Pol.     Lights,  lights,  lights.  Exeunt  all  but  Ha-m.  &  Horatio. 

Ham.     Why  let  the  ftrooken  Deere  goe  weepe, 
The  Hart  vngauled  play, 
For  fome  muft  watch  while  fome  muft  fleepe, 

Thus  runnes  the  world  away.  Would  not  this  fir  &  forreft  of  fea- 
thers, if  the  reft  of  my  fortunes  tume  Turk  with  me,  with  prouindalD 
Rofes  on  my  raz'd  fhooes,  get  me  a  fellowfhip  in  a  cry  of  players? 

Hora.     Halfe  a  fhare. 

Ham.     A  whole  one  L 
For  thou  dooft  know  oh  Da^non  deere 
This  Realme  difmantled  was 
Of  lone  himfelfe,  and  now  raignes  heere 
A  very  ver\^  paiock. 

Hora.     You  might  haue  rynyd. 

Haw.     O  good  Horatio,  He  take  the  Ghofts  word  for  a  thou f and 
pound.     EHd'ft  perceiue? 

Hora.     Very  well  my  Lord. 

Ham.     Vpon  the  talke  of  the  poyfning. 

H&r.     I  did  very  well  note  him. 


Ham.     Ah  ha,  come  fome  mufique,  come  the  Recorders, 
For  if  the  King  like  not  the  Comedie, 
Why  then  belike  he  likes  it  not  perdy. 
Come,  fome  mufique. 

Enter  Rofencrans  and  Giiyldenstern. 


126  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  Ur-Hamlet 


1604  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  127 

Guyl.     Good  my  Lord,  voutfafe  me  a  word  with  you. 

Ham.     Sir  a  whole  hiftorie. 

Guyl.     The  King  fir. 

Ham.     I  fir,  what  of  him? 

Guyl.     Is  in  his  retirement  meruilous  diftempred. 

Ham.     With  drinke  fir? 

Guyl.    No  my  Lord,  with  choUer, 

Ham.  Your  wifdome  fhould  fhewe  it  felfe  more  richer  to  fignifie 
this  to  the  Dodlor,  for  for  mee  to  put  him  to  his  purgation,  would 
perhaps  plunge  him  into  more  choller. 

Guyl.     Good  my  Lord  put  your  difcourfe  into  fome  frame, 
And  ftare  not  fo  wildly  from  my  affaire. 

HaW'.     I  am  tame  fir,  pronounce. 

Guyl.  The  Queene  your  mother  in  moft  great  affliction  of  fpirit, 
hath  fent  me  to  you. 

Ham.     You  are  welcome. 

Guyl.  Nay  good  my  Lord,  this  curtefie  is  not  of  the  right  breede, 
if  it  fhall  pleafe  you  to  make  me  a  wholfome  aunfwere,  I  will  doe 
your  mothers  commaundement,  if  not,  your  pardon  and  my  retume, 
fhall  be  the  end  of  bufines. 

Ham.     Sir  I  cannot. 

Rof.    What  my  Lord. 

Ham.  Make  you  a  wholfome  anfwer,  my  wits  difeafd,but  fir,fuch 
anfwere  as  I  can  make,  you  fhall  command  or  rather  as  you  fay,  my 
mother,  therefore  no  more,  but  to  the  matter,  my  mother  you  fay. 

Rof.  Then  thus  fhe  fayes,  your  behauiour  hath  ftrooke  her  into  a- 
mazement  and  admiration. 

Ham.  O  wonderful  forme  that  can  fo  ftonish  a  mother,  but  is 
there  no  fequell  at  the  heeles  of  this  mothers  admiration,  impart. 

Rof.     She  defires  to  fpeak  with  you  in  her  clofet  ere  you  go  to  bed. 

Ham.  We  fhall  obey,  were  fhe  ten  times  our  mother,  haue  you 
any  further  trade  with  vs? 

Rof.     My  I>ord,  \'Ou  once  did  loue  me. 

Ham.     And  doe  ftill  by  thefe  pickers  and  fteallers. 


128  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  TJr-Hamlet 


1604  The  Tragicall  Historie  of  Hamlet  129 

Rof.  Good  my  Lord,  what  is  your  caufe  of  diftemper,  you  do 
Jurely  barre  the  doore  vpon  your  owne  liberty  if  you  deny  your 
griefes  to  your  friend. 

Ham.     Sir  I  lacke  aduauncement. 

Rof.  How  can  that  be,  when  you  haue  the  voyce  of  the  King 
himfelfe  for  your  fuccefsion  in  Denmarke. 

Enter  the  Players  with  Recorders. 

Ham.  I  fir,  but  while  the  graffe  growes,  the  prouerbe  is  fome- 
thing  mufty,  o  the  Recorders,  let  mee  fee  one,  to  withdraw  with  you, 
why  doe  you  goe  about  to  recouer  the  wind  of  mee,  as  if  you  would 
driue  me  into  a  toyle? 

Guyl.      O  my  lord,  if  my  duty  be  too  bold,  my  loue  is  too  vnmanerly. 

Ham,.     I  do  not  wel  vndertand  that,  wil  you  play  vpon  this  pipe  ? 

Guyl.     My  lord  I  cannot. 

Ham.     I  pray  you. 

Guyl.     Beleeue  me  I  cannot. 

Ham.     I  doe  befeech  you. 

Guyl.     I  know  no  touch  of  it  my  Lord. 

Ham.  It  is  as  eafie  as  lying;  gouerne  thefe  ventages  with  your 
fingers,  &  the  vmber,  giue  it  breath  with  your  mouth,  &  it  wil  dif- 
courfe  moft  eloquent  mufique,  looke  you,  thefe  are  the  ftops. 

Guil.  But  thefe  cannot  I  command  to  any  vttrance  of  harmonic,  I 
haue  not  the  skill. 

Ham.  Why  looke  you  now  how  vnworthy  a  thing  you  make  of 
me,  you  would  play  vpon  mee,  you  would  feeme  to  know  my  ftops, 
you  would  plucke  out  the  hart  of  my  miftery,  you  would  found  mee 
from  my  loweft  note  to  my  compaffe  and  there  is  much  mufique  ex- 
cellent voyce  in  this  little  organ,  yet  cannot  you  make  it  fpeak,  s'hloud 
do  you  think  I  am  eafier  to  be  plaid  on  then  a  pipe,  call  mee  what  in- 
ftrument  you  wil,  though  you  fret  me  not,  you  cannot  play  vpon  me. 
God  bleffe  you  fir. 

Enter  Polonius. 
Pol.     My  Lord,  the  Queene  would  fpeake  with  you.  &  prefently. 
Ham.     Do  you  fee  yonder  clowd  that's  almoft  in  fhape  of  a  Camel  ? 
Pol.     By'th  maffe  and  tis,  like  a  Camell  indeed. 
Ham.     Mee  thinks  it  is  like  a  Wezell. 


130  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  TTr-Hamlet 


1604  The  Tragical!  Historie  of  Hamlet  131 

Pol.     It  is  backt  lake  a  Wezell. 

Ham.     Or  like  a  Whale. 

Pol.     Very  like  a  Whale. 

Ham.     Then  I  will  come  to  my  mother  by  and  by, 
They  foole  me  to  the  top  of  my  bent,  I  will  come  by  &  by, 
Leaue  me   friends. 

I  will,  fay  fo.     Ey  and  by  is  eafily  faid, 
Tis  now  the  very  witching  time  of  night. 
When  Churchyards  yawne,  and  hell  it  felfe  breakes  out 
Contagion  to  this  world :  now  could  I  drinke  bote  blood. 
And  doe  fuch  bufines  as  the  bitter  day 
Would  quake  to  looke  on:  foft,  now  to  my  mother, 

0  hart  loofe  not  thy  nature,  let  not  euer 
The  foule  of  Nero  enter  this  firme  bofome, 
Let  me  be  cruell,  not  vnnaturall, 

1  will  Ipeake  dagger  to  her,  but  vfe  none. 
My  tongue  and  foule  in  this  be  hypocrites. 
How  in  my  words  fomeuer  fhe  be  fhent. 

To  giue  them  feales  neuer  my  foule  confent.  Exit. 

Enter  King,  Rofencraus,  and  Guyldensteme. 

King.     I  like  him  not,  nor  ftands  it  fafe  with  vs 
To  let  his  madnes  range,  therefore  prepare  you, 
I  your  commiffion  will  forth-with  difpatch. 
And  he  to  England  fhall  along  with  you. 
The  termes  of  our  eftate  may  not  endure 
Hazerd  fo  neer's  as  doth  hourely  grow 
Out  of  his  browes. 

Cuyl.     We  will  our  fdues  provide. 
Moft  holy  and  religious  feare  it  is 
To  keepe  thofe  many  many  bodies  fafe 
That  Hue  and  feede  vpon  you  Maieftie, 

Rof.     The  fingle  and  peculier  life  is  bound 
With  all  the  ftrcngth  and  armour  of  the  mind 
To  keepe  it  felfe  from  noyance,  but  much  more 
That  f[)irit,  v]K)n  whofc  wealc  depends  and  refts 
The  Hues  of  many,  the  ceffc  of  Maieftie 


132  The  Tragicall  Historie  of  Hamlet  Ur-Hamlet 


An  altar  in  a  Temple,  King,  9?ohJ  6egin§  mi)  confcicnce  t» 
otoofcn;  i^t  rcmorfc  for  mij  trcoc^ert)  fting§  bec^.  ^i  tS  time  t^at 
3  turn  io  repentottcc,  onb  confcf§  to  ^coUen  ml)  cnmc.  ^  fcor  tit)) 
gbilt  i§  toi>  great  for  forgiucnef§.  S5ut  S  toiW  <>rot)  to  t^e  @obS  fer" 
itentll)  to  forgtue  m^  gricuoDS  finS.  [i^n^^/j  tefor^  the  altar* 


1604  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  133 

Dies  not  alone;   but  like  a  gulfe  doth  draw 

What's  neere  it,  with  it,  or  it  is  a  mafsie  wheele 

Fixt  on  the  foninet  of  the  higheft  mount, 

To  whofe  hough  fpokes,  tenne  thoufand  leffer  things 

Are  morteift  and  adioynd,  which  w^hen  it  fallls, 

Each  fmall  annexment  petty  confequence 

Attends  the  boyftrous  raine,  neuer  alone 

Did  the  King  figh,  but  a  generall  grone. 

King.     Arme  you  I  pray  to  this  fpeedy  viage, 
For  we  will  fetters  put  about  this  feare 
Which  now  goes  too  free-footed. 

Rof.     We  will  haft  vs.  Exeunt  Gent. 

Enter  Polonius. 

Pol.     My  Lord,  hee's  going  to  his  mothers  clofet, 
Behind  the  Arras  Tie  conuay  my  felfe. 
To  heare  the  proceffe.  Fie  warrant  fhee'le  tax  him  home, 
And  as  you  sayd,  and  wifely  was  it  fayd, 
Tis  meete  that  fome  more  audience  then  a  mother, 
Since  nature  makes  them  parciall,  fhould  ore-heare 
The  fpeech  of  vantage ;   farre  you  well  my  Leige, 
Fie  call  vpon  )'ou  ere  you  goe  to  bed. 
And  tell  you  what  I  knowe.  Exit. 

King.     Thankes  deere  my  Lord. 

0  my  offence  is  ranck,  it  fmels  to  heauen, 
It  hath  the  primall  eldeft  curfe  vppont, 
A  brothers  murther,  pray  can  I  not, 
Though  inclination  be  as  fharp  as  will, 

My  ftronger  guilt  defeats  my  ftrong  entent. 
And  like  a  man  to  double  bufines  bound, 

1  ftand  in  paufe  where  I  fhall  firft  beginne, 
And  both  neglcdl,  what  if  this  curfed  hand 
Were  thicker  then  it  felfe  with  brothers  blood 
Is  there  not  raine  enough  in  the  fweete  Heauens 
To  wafh  it  white  as  fnowe,  whereto  femes  mercy 
But  to  confront  the  vifage  of  offence? 

And  what's  in  prayer  but  this  two  fold  force, 


134  7"/i^  Tragicall  Historie  of  Hamlet  XJr-Hamlet 


2;^t)^  long  ffaue  ^  foIIoJucb  tf}t  bontneb  bon,  anb  nolu  ^  fjane  foDnb 

^tnt.  9?oft)  i§  t^c  time,  mljcn  ^e  t^  alone.    ^  luill  tafc  I)t§  life  luljilc 

[makes  motion  to  stab  him],  56ut  no.  ^  Jutll  firft  let  I)tnt  finiff)  I)i§ 
<>roi)er.  ^o,  lril)cn  ^  t^inf  of  it,  f}c  bib  not  qiuc  jnl)  fetter  time  for 
pxat}CTf  hnt  fent  ^im  to  ^ell  flce:ping  onb,  ))ert)n^)§,  in  ^is  finsf.  S:i)ere= 
fore  hjill  ^  fenb  Ijim  to  tl)c  §ame  place  [again  offers  to  run  him  through 
from  behind].  85ut  Ijolb,  ^amlet.  SS^t)  f^oulbft  tf)OD  tofe  !|i§  fin§ 
b^jon  tl^ee?  ^  Jnill  let  ^im  enb  I)i§  ^rcijer,  anb  efco^e  t^i§  time,  anb  giue 
})xm  i)\^  life:  ai  fome  ot^cr  time  ^  IniU  Ijane  ml)  full  renengc.        [Exit, 

King,  Wt)  confcience  i§  fometoljat  lig^teneb;  Bnt  ftill  t^e  bog  Iic§ 
gnatoing  at  m\)  ^eart.  9toto  )oiU  ^  go  ^ence,  anb  Joit^  fafting§  anb 
oIm§  anb  fernent  ^roi)er§  reconcile  t^e  ^igljeft.  Kurfeb  amfittion,  io 
tol^at  l^aft  t^otJ  Brought  mc!  [Exit, 


1604  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  135 

To  be  foreftalled  ere  we  come  to  fall, 

Or  pardon  being  downe,  then  Pie  looke  vp. 

My  fault  is  paft,  but  oh  what  forme  of  prayer 

Can  ferue  my  tume,  forgiue  me  my  foule  murther, 

That  cannot  be  fdnce  I  am  ftill  poffeft 

Of  thofe  effeds  for  which  I  did  the  murther; 

My  Crowne,  mine  owne  ambition,  and  my  Queene; 

May  one  be  pardoned  and  retaine  th'  offence? 

In  the  corrupted  currents  of  this  world, 

Offences  guilded   hand  may   fhowe  by  iuftice, 

And  oft  tis  feene  the  wicked  poize  it  felfe 

Buyes  out  the  lawe,  but  tis  not  fo  aboue, 

There  is  no  fhufling,  there  the  adion  lies 

In  his  true  nature,  and  we  our  felues  compeld 

Euen  to  the  teeth  and  forehead  of  our  faults 

To  giue  in  euidence,  what  then,  what  refts, 

Try  what  repentance  can,  what  can  it  not, 

Yet  what  can  it,  when  one  cannot  repent? 

O  wretched  ftate,  o  bofome  blacke  as  death, 

0  limed  foule,  that  ftruggling-  to  be  free, 

Art  more  ingaged  ;    helpe  Angels  make  affay, 
Bowe  ftubborne  knees,  and  hart  with  firings  of  fteale, 
Be  foft  as  finnewes  of  the  new  borne  babe, 
All  may  be  well. 

Enter   Hatniet. 
Ham.     Now  might  I  doe  it,  but  now  a  is  a  praying, 
And  now  He  doo't,  and  fo  a  goes  to  heauen, 
And  fo  am  I  reuendge,  that  would  be  fcand 
A  villaine  kills  my  father,  and  for  that, 

1  his  fole  foune,  doe  this  fame  villaine  fend 
To  heauen. 

Why,  this  is  bafe  and  filly,  not  reuendge, 
A  tooke  my  father  grofly  full  of  bread, 
Withall  his  crimes  broad  blowne,  as  flufh  as  May, 
And  how  his  audit  ftand  who  knowcs  faue  heauen, 
But  in  our  circuniftancc  and  courfe  of  thought, 
10 


136  The  Tragi  call  Historic  of  Hamlet  TJr-Hamlet 


Queen,  ^otamhn^,  fa>),  ^ohj  t§  it  itiitJj  tnij  fon,  prince  ^ainrct? 
^oc»  ^iS  mobttcf^  at  all  rcloj,  or  toiU  ^i§  ratting  ncttcr  cnb? 

Corambus.    9lo,  ala§!  ?)oUr  SKojcft)),  fft  i§  juft  c§  mab  a§  cttcr. 

Horatio,  9Koft  gracious  ClUccn,  prince  ^atnlet  i§  in  tfft  antec^am^ 
htx,  onb  crouch  a  <)riliotc  aDbicncc. 

Qji^m»     ^e  is  uert)  bear  to  U§;  fo  let  Ijim  come  in  at  once. 

//ora/w.     St  f^all  ^e  bone,  ?)oDr  39Jaieftt).  [£;lr«■^ 

Queen,  (SoratnbUS,  ^ibe  t)0l)rfclf  fie^inb  t^c  ta^ieftrt)  till  hie  coll 
))ob. 

Corambus,    9lt),  at),  t)Oi)r  59Jaieftt),  ^  milt.  [Hides  himself. 

Hamlet,    SiKot^er,  bib  i|ou  fnotu  i)oDr  late  ^uffianb  hjell? 

Queen,  91^,  reminb  me  not  of  mi)  former  grief.  ^  cannot  6ot  toec<> 
hi^cn  S  t^inf  of  it, 

Hamlet,    ^ttpl  fieane  off  mcc^jing.  2^ei)  ere  6ut  crocfobiIc'§  tcari. 


1604  The  Tragicall  Historie  of  Hamlet  137 

Tis  heauy  with  him :  and  am  I  then  reuendg^d 

To  take  him  in  the  purging  of  his  foule, 

When  he  is  fit  and  feafoned  for  his  paffage  ? 

No. 

Vp  fword,  and  knowe  thou  a  more  horrid  hent, 

When  he  is  drunke,  afleepe,  or  in  his  rage, 

Or  in  th'inceftious  pleafure  of  his  bed, 

At  game  a  {wearing,  or  about  fome  ad 

That  has  no  relifh  of  faluation  in't, 

Then  trip  him  that  his  heels  may  kick  at  heauen, 

And  that  his  foule  may  be  as  damned  and  black 

As  hell  whereto  it  goes ;  my  mother  ftaies. 

This  phifick  but  prolongs  thy  fickly  daies.  Exit. 

King.     My  words  fly  vp,  my  thoughts  remaine  belowe 
Words  without  thoughts  neuer  to  heauen  goe.  Exit. 

Enter  Gertrard  and  Polonius. 
Pol.     A  will  come  ftrait,  looke  you  lay  home  to  him, 
Tell  him  his  prancks  haue  beene  too  braod  to  beare  with, 
And  that  your  grace  hath  fcreend  and  ftood  between 
Much  heate  and  him,  He  filence  me  euen  heere, 
Pray  you  be  round.  , 

•i 
Enter  Hamlet. 

Ger.     He  wait  you,  feare  me  not. 
With-drawe,  I  heare  him  comming. 

Ham.     Now  mother,  what's  the  matter? 

Ger.     Hamlet,  thou  haft  thy  father  much  offended. 

Ham.     Mother,  you  haue  my  father  much  offended. 

Ger.    Come,  come,  you  anfwere  with  an  idle  tongue. 

Ham.     Goe,  goe,  you  queftion  with  a  wicked  tongue. 

Ger.     Why  how  now  Hamlet  ? 

Ham.     What's  the  matter  now? 

Ger.     Haue  you  forgot  me? 

Ham.     No  by  the  rood  not  fo. 
You  are  the  Queene,  your  husbands  brothers  wife, 
And  would  it  were  not  fo,  you  are  my  mother. 


138  The  Tragicall  Historie  of  Hamlet  TJr-Hamlet 


S5bt  fee.  glonbcr  in  i^ai  gollcri)  ^ongS  t^e  counterfeit  of  tjolir  firft 
^Dfbanb,  anb  t^ere  ^ong§  t^e  counterfeit  of  ijoljr  ^jrcfent.  as^at  t^infeft 
t^oD?  SB^ic^  i§  t^e  noBIer  of  t^e  ttoo?  :S§  not  t^e  first  a  ntojeftic 
nobleman? 

Queen,     ^t  i§,  inbccb.   ^^^ot  i§  trOe. 

HatnleL  Slnb  tjet  t^oO  ^aft  fo  foon  forgotten  l^im.  f^ie,  for  f^ontc! 
2)ol)  ^anc  ointoft  on  tfft  fontc  bol)  t^c  burial  anb  t^e  betrot^oL  Sut, 
l^bf]^;  ore  oil  t^e  boor§  Ioc!eb? 

Queen,     ^fftf  ho  ijoU  off?    [Corambus  coughs  behind  the  tapestry. 

Hamlet.    SB^o  i§  tf^ai  ttjf^o  x§  liftening  io  0§?  [Stabs  him. 

Corambus.  SBoe  i§  nte,  D  prince.  SS^at  ^aft  t^oO  bone?  S  om 
Meb. 

QM^m.  O  ^eanens!  nti)  fon,  to^at  ^aue  i)oU  bone?  ^t  i§  6oram= 
hu§,  tfft  ^^antberlain. 


1604  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  139 

Ger.     Nay  then  He  fet  thofe  to  you  that  can  fpeake. 

Ham.     Come,  come,  and  fit  you  downe,  you  fhall  not  boudge. 
You  gx3e  not  till  I  fet  you  vp  a  glaffe 
Where  you  may  fee  the  moft  part  of  you. 

Ger.    What  wilt  thou  doe,  thou  wilt  not  murther  me, 
Helpe  how. 

Pol.     What  how  helpe. 

Ham.    How  now,  a  Rat,  dead  for  a   Duckat,  dead. 

Pol.     O  I  am  flaine. 

Ger.     O  me,  what  haft  thou  done? 

Ham,.    Nay  I  knowe  not,  is  it  the  King? 


Ger.     O  what  a  rafh  and  bloody  deede  is  this. 

Ham.     A  bloody  deede,  aJmoft  as  bad,  good  mother 
As  kill  a  King,  and  mary  with  his  brother. 

Ger.    As  kill  a  King. 

Ham.     I  Lady,  it  was  my  word. 
Thou  wretched,  rafh,  intruding  foole  farwell, 
I  tooke  thee  for  thy  better,  take  thy  fortune, 
Thou  find'ft  to  be  too  bufie  is  fome  danger, 
Leaue  wringing  of  your  hands,  peace  fit  you  downe, 
And  let  we  wring  your  hart,  for  fo  I  fhall 
If  it  be  made  of  penitrable  ftuffe. 
If  damned  cuftome  haue  not  brafd  it  fo, 
That  it  be  proofe  and  bulwark  againft  fence. 

Ger.    What  haue  I  done,  that  thou  dar'ft  wagge  thy  tongue 
In  noife  fo  rude  againft  me? 

Ham>.     Such  an  adl 
That  blurres  the  grace  and  blufh  of  modefty, 
Cals  vertue  hippocrit,  takes  of  the  Rofe 
From  the  faire  forhead  of  an  innocent  loue, 
And  fets  a  blifter  there,  makes  marriage  vowes 
As  falfe  as  dicers  oathes,  o  fuch  a  deede, 
As  from  the  body  of  contradlion  plucks 


140  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  TJr-Hamlet 


1004  The  Tragical!  Historie  of  Hamlet  141 

The  very  foule,  and  fweet  religion  makes 
A  rapfedy  of  words ;  heauens  face  dooes  glowe 
Are  this  foHdity  and  compound  maffe 
With  heated  \nfage,  as  againft  the  doome 
Is  thought  fick  at  the  ad 
Quee.     Ay  me,  what  a<fl  ? 

Ham.     That  roares  fo  low'd,  and  thunders  in  the  Index, 
Looke  heere  vpon  this  Pidlure,  and  on  this, 
The  counterfeit  prefentment  of  two  brothers, 
See  what  a  grace  was  feated  on  this  browe, 
Hiperions  curies,  the  front  of  loue  himfelfe, 
An  eye  like  Mars,  to  threaten  and  command, 
A  Itation  like  the  herald  Mercury, 
New  lighted  on  a  heaue,  a  kifsing  hill, 
A  combination,  and  a  forme  indeede, 
Where  euery  God  did  feeme  to  fet  his  ieale 
To  giue  the  world  affurance  of  a  man. 
This  was  your  husband,  looke  you  now  what  followes. 
Heere  is  your  husband  like  a  mildewed  eare, 
Blafting  his  wholfome  brother,  haue  you  eyes, 
Could  you  on  this  faire  mountaine  leaue  to  feede, 
And  batten  on  this  Moore;  ha,  haue  you  eyes? 
You  cannot  call  it  loue,  for  at  your  age 
The  heyday  in  the  blood  is  tame,  it's  humble. 

And  waits  vpon  the  iudgment,  and  what  iudgment 

Would  ftep  from  this  to  this,  fense  fure  youe  haue 

Els  could  you  not  haue  motion,  but  fure  that  fence 

Is  appoplext,  for  madneffe  would  not  erre 

Nor  fence  to  extacie  was  nere  fo  thral'd 

But  it  referu'd  fome  quantity  of  choife 

To  ferue  in  fuch  a  difference,  what  deuill  waft 

That  thus  hath  cofund  you  at  hodman  blind ; 

Eyes  without  feeling,  feeling  without  fight. 

Eares  without  hands,  or  eyes,  fmelling  fance  all, 

Or  but  a  fickly  part  of  one  true  fence 

Could  not  fo  mope :  o  fhame  where  is  thy  blufh  ? 

Rebellious  hell, 


142  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  TJr-Hamlet 


Ghost  passes  across  the  stage,     [Thunder  and  lightning,] 

Hamlet,  Sllj,  noUt  ^pixtt  of  tni)  fetter,  fto^.  SS^at  mnW^t  t^oti? 
Cricft  tffo\i  f«H  to  6c  rcttcngcb?  2;ijoD  f^olt  6e  at  t^c  rig^t  time- 

0M^en.    Jpoto  is  it  hiit^  t)oiJ?    SS^o  ore  tjoD  tolfing  to? 

Hamlet,  <Btt\t  tf^oti  not  t^c  g^irit  of  t^l)  bc|)artcb  ^tif6anb?  6ee,  ))e 
(ecfotts  ai$  if  $e  toobib  f:|)ea!  to  i)ob» 

Qtieen,    SWo§!  ;S  fee  noticing. 


1804  The  Tragicall  Historie  of  Hamlet  143 

If  thou  canft  mutine  in  a  Matrons  bones, 
To  flaming  youth  let  vertue  be  as  wax 
And  melt  in  her  owne  fire,  proclaime  no  fhame 
When  the  compulfiue  ardure  giues  the  charge. 
Since  froft  it  felfe  as  adliuely  doth  bume, 
And  reafon  pardons  will. 

Ger.     O  Hamlet  fpeake  no  more, 
Thou  turn  ft  my  very  eyes  into  my  foule, 
And  there  I  fee  fuch  blacke  and  greened  fpots 
As  will  leaue  there  their  tin'dl. 

Ham.     Nay  but  to  Hue 
In  the  ranck  fweat  of  an  infeemed  bed 
Stewed  in  corruption,  honying,  and  making  loue 
Ouer  the  nafty  ftie. 

Ger.    O  fpeake  to  me  no  more, 
Thefe  words  like  daggers  enter  in  my  eares. 
No  more  fweete  Hamlet. 

Ham.    A  murther  and  a  villaine, 
A  flaue  that  is  not  twentieth  part  the  kyth. 
Of  your  precedent  Lord,  a  vice  of  Kings, 


A  cut-purfe  of  the  Empire  and  the  rule, 
That  from  a  fhelf  the  precious  Diadem  ftole 
And  put  it  in  his  pocket. 

Ger.     No  more.  ^ 

Enter  Ghoft. 

Ham.     A  King  of  fhreds  and  patches, 
Saue  me  and  houer  ore  me  with  your  wings 
You  heauenly  gards :  what  would  your  gracious  figure? 

Ger.     Alas  hee's  mad. 

Ham.     Doe  you  not  come  your  tardy  fonne  to  chide, 
That  lap'ft  in  time  and  pafsion  lets  goc  by 
Th'important  acting  of  your  dread  command,  o  fay. 


J  44  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  TJr-Hamlet 


Hamlet,  ^  Belieuc  Jjob  fee  noticing,  for  t)ob  cte  no  longer  toortl^ij 
to  loo!  on  ^t§  form.  %\t,  for  f^omc?  '^ni  one  toorb  more  toiU  ;3  fa^ 
to  ^otJ,  [£^if. 

Qw^m  {alone),  O  @ob!  Jti^ot  ntobncfg  ^o§  t^i§  mclanc^olt)  Brotjg^t 
b^ion  t^e  prince?  3Ko§,  jni)  oton  fon  ^o§  totalli)  loft  l^tS  fcnfcS.  Slnb, 
oIo§!  o(o§!  ^  am  tnbc^  io  Blotne-  ^ab  ^  not  toebbcb  nit)  6rot^cr=tn= 
loto,  nit)  firft  ^t»fBonb'§  brother,  ig  ^ob  not  robbeb  mtj  fon  of  t^e  croton 


1604  The  Tragicall  Historie  of  Hamlet  145 

Ghoft.     Doe  not  forget,  this  vifitation 
Is  but  to  whet  thy  almoft  blunted  purpofe, 
But  looke,  amazement  on  thy  mother  fits, 
O  ftep  betweene  her,  and  her  fighting  foule, 
Conceit  in  weakeft  bodies  ftrongeft  workes, 
Speake  to  her  Hamlet. 

Ham.     How  is  it  with  you  Lady? 

Ger.     Alas  how  i'ft  with  you  ? 
That  you  doe  bend  your  eye  on  vacancie, 
And  with  th'incorporall  ayre  doe  hold  difcourfe, 
Foorth  at  your  eyes  your  fpirits  wildly  peep, 
And  as  the  fleeping  fouldiers  in  the  a'larme. 
Your  bedded  haire  like  life  in  excrements 
Start  vp  and  ftand  an  end,  o  gentle  fonne 
Vpon  the  heat  and  flame  of  thy  dif temper 
Sprinckle  coole  patience,  whereon  doe  you  looke? 

Ham.     On  him,  on  him,  looke  you  how  pale  he  glares, 
His  forme  and  caufe  conioynd,  preaching  to  ftones 
Would  make  them  cajpable,  doe  not  looke  vpon  me, 
Leaft  with  this  pittious  adion  you  conuert 
My  fteame  eflfed,  then  what  I  haue  to  doe 
Will  want  true  cullour,  tears  perchance  for  blood. 

Ger.     To  whom  doe  you  fpeake  this? 

Ham.     Doe  you  fee  nothing  there? 

Ger.     Nothing  at  all,  yet  all  that  is  I  fee 

Ham.     Nor  did  you  nothing  heare? 

Ger.     No  nothing  but  our  felues. 


Ham.     Why  looke  you  there,  looke  how  it  fteales  away, 
My  father  in  his  habit  as  he  lieud, 
Looke  where  he  goes,  euen  now  out  at  the  portall.        Exit  Ghoft. 

Ger.     This  is  the  very  coynage  of  your  brainc. 
This  bodileffe  creation  extacie  is  very  cunning  in. 


146  The  Tragicall  Hist  or  ie  of  Hamlet  XJr-Hamlet 


1604  The  Tragicall  Historie  of  Hamlet  147 

Ham.     My  pulfe  as  yours  doth  temporarily  keepe  time. 
And  makes  as  healthfull  muficke,  it  is  not  madneffe 
That  I  haue  \i:tred,  bring  me  to  the  teft. 
And  the  matter  will  reword,  which  madneffe 
Would  gambole  from,  mother  for  loue  of  grace, 
Lay  not  that  flattering  vndion  to  your  foule 
That  not  your  trefpaffe  but  my  madneffe  fpeakes, 
It  will  but  skin  and  filme  the  vlcerous  place 
Whiles  ranck  corruption  mining  all  within 
Infeds  vnfeene,  confeffe  your  felfe  to  heauen, 
Repent  what's  paft,  auoyd  what  is  to  come, 
And  doe  not  fpread  the  compoft  on  the  weedes 
To  make  them  rancker,  forgiue  me  this  my  vertue. 
For  in  the  fatneffe  of  thefe  purfie  times 
Vertue  it  felfe  of  vice  muft  pardon  beg, 
Yea  curbe  and  wooe  for  leaue  to  doe  him  good. 

Ger.     O  Hamlet  thou  haft  cleft  my  hart  in  twaine. 

Ham.     O  throwe  away  the  worfer  part  of  it, 
And  leaue  the  purer  with  the  other  halfe. 
Good  night,  but  goe  not  to  my  Vncles  bed, 
Afiune  a  vertue  if  you  haue  it  not. 
That  monfter  cuftome,  who  all  fence  doth  eate 
Of  habits  deuill,  is  angell  yet  in  this 
That  to  the  ufe  of  adions  fair  and  good. 
He  likewife  giues  a  frock  or  Liuery 
That  aptly  is  put  on  to  refraine  night. 
And  that  fhall  lend  a  kind  of  eafines 
To  the  next  abftinence,  the  next  more  eafie : 
For  vfe  almoft  can  change  the  ftamp  of  nature, 
And  either  the  deuill,  or  throwe  him  out 
With  wondrous  potency:  once  more  good  night, 
And  when  you  are  defirous  to  be  bleft. 
He  blefsing  beg  of  you,  for  this  fame  Lord 
I  doe  repent ;  but  heauen  hath  pleafd  it  fo 
To  punifh  me  with  this,  and  this  with  me. 
That  I  muft  be  their  fcourgc  and  minifter, 
I  will  beftowe  him  and  will  anfwcre  well 


148  The  Tragicall  Historie  of  Hamlet  Ur-Hamlet 


if  35enmotf.  Sbt  to^cn  0  t^ing  t§  bone  to^ot  con  Itjc?  9lot^tn8. 
SKotterS  muft  ftonb  a§  t^ci)  ore.  Sf  t^e  ^o<ic  ^ab  not  ollohieb  t^e 
OTorrioge  it  hjolilb  ncner  ^auc  tofcn  litocc.  ;S  h»«tt  go  ^cncc,  cnb  bo  nti» 
6eft  to  Tcftore  nrtj  fon  to  ^i§  formct  fenfc  onb  ^colt^. 


1604  The  Tragicall  Historie  of  Hamlet  149 

The  death  I  gaue  him ;    fo  ag-aine  good  night 
I  muft  be  cruell  only  to  be  kinde, 
This  bad  beginnes,  and  worfe  remaines  behind. 
One  word  more  good  Lady. 

Ger.     What  fhall  I  doe? 

Ham.     Not  this  by  no  means  that  I  bid  you  doe, 
Let  the  blowt  King  temp't  you  againe  to  bed, 
Pinch  wanton  on  your  cheeke,  call  you  his  Moufe, 
And  let  him  for  a  paire  of  reechie  kiffes, 
Or  padling  in  your  necke  with  his  damn'd  fingers. 
Make  your  to  rouell  all  this  matter  out 
That  I  ef fentially  am  not  in  madneffe. 
But  mad  in  craft,  t'were  good  you  let  him  knowe, 
For  who  that's  but  a  Queene,  faire,  fober,  wife. 
Would  from  a  paddock,  from  a  bat,  a  gib. 
Such  deare  concemings  hide,  who  would  doe  fo, 
No,  in  difpight  of  fence  and  fecrecy, 
Vnpeg  the  basket  on  the  houfes  top. 
Let  the  birds  fly,  and  like  the  famous  Ape, 
To  try  conclufions  in  the  basket  creepe. 
And  breake  your  owne  necke  downe. 

Ger.     Be  thou  affur'd,  if  words  be  made  of  breath 
And  breath  of  Hfe,  I  haue  no  life  to  breath 
What  thou  haft  fayd  to  me. 

Ham.     I  muft  to  England,  you  knowe  that. 

Ger.     Alack  I  had  forgot. 
Tis  fo  concluded  on. 

Ham.     Ther's  letters  feald,  and  my  two  Schoolefellowes, 
Whom  I  will  truft  as  I  will  Adders  fang'd, 
They  beare  the  mandat,  they  muft  fweep  my  way 
And  marfhall  me  to  knauery :  let  it  worke. 
For  tis  the  fport  to  haue  the  enginer 
Hoift  with  his  owne  petar,  an't  fhall  goe  hard 
But  I  will  delue  one  yard  belowe  their  mines. 
And  blowe  them  at  the  Moone :  o  tis  moft  fweete 
When  in  one  line  two  crafts  dSredlly  meete, 


ijo  Th*  Tragicall  Historie  of  Hamlet  Ur-Hamlet 


1604  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  151 

This  man  fhall  fet  me  packing, 
He  lugge  the  guts  into  the  neighbour  roome ; 
Mother  good  night  indeed,  this  Counfayler 
Is  now  moft  ftill,  moft  fecret,  and  moft  graue, 
Who  was  in  hfe  a  moft  fooHfh  prating  knaue, 
Come  fir,  to  draw  toward  an  end  with  you, 

Good  night  mother.  Exit. 

Enter  King,  and   Qiieene,   with  Rofencraus 
and  Guyldensterne 

King.     There's  matter  in  thefe  fighes,  thefe  profound  heaues. 
You  muft  tranflate,  tis  fit  we  underftand  them. 
Where  is  your  fonne  ? 

Ger.     Beftow  this  place  on  vs  a  little  while. 
Ah  mine  owne  Lord,  what  haue  I  feene  to  night? 

King.     What  Gertrard,  how  dooes  Hamlet? 

Ger.     Mad  as  the  fea  and  wind  when  both  contend 
Which  is  the  mightier,  in  his  lawleffe  fit. 
Behind  the  Arras  hearing  fome  thing  ftirre, 
Whyps  out  his  Rapier,  cryes  a  Rat,  a  Rat, 
And  in  this  brainifh  apprehenfion  kills 
The  vnseene  good  old  man. 

King.     O  heauy  deede! 
It  had  beene  fo  with  vs  had  wee  been  there, 
His  libertie  is  full  of  threates  to  all. 
To  you  your  felfe,  to  vs,  to  euery  one, 
Alas,  how  fhall  this  bloody  deede  be  anfwer'd  ? 
It  will  be  layd  to  vs,  whofe  prouidence 
Should  haue  kept  fhort,  reftraind,  and  out  of  haunt 
Thic  mad  young  man ;   but  fo  niuch  was  our  loue, 
We  would  not  vnderftand  what  was  moft  fit. 
But  like  the  owner  of  a  foule  difeafe 
To  keepe  it  from  divulging,  let  it  feede 
Euen  on  the  pith  of  life :  where  is  he  gone? 

Ger.     To  draw  apart  the  body  he  hath  kild. 
Ore  whom,  his  very  madnes  like  fome  ore 
Among  a  mincrall  of  mettals  bafe, 
Showcs  it  fflfc  pure,  a  wcepes  for  what  is  done. 
u 


152  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  Ur-Hamlet 


1604  The  Tragicall  Historie  of  Hamlet  153 

King.     O  Gertrard,  come  away, 
The  funne  no  fooner  fhall  the  mountaines  touch, 
But  we  will  fhip  him  hence,  and  this  vile  deede 
We  muft  with  all  our  Maieftie  and  skill  Enter  Rof.  &  Guild 

Both  countenaunce  and  excufe.  Ho  Guyldensterne, 
Friends  both,  goe  ioyne  you  with  fome  further  ayde, 
Hamlet  in  madnes  hath  Poloniiis  flaine, 
And  from  his  mothers  clofet  hath  he  dreg'd  him, 
Goe  feeke  him  out  fpeake  fayre,  and  bring  the  body 
Into  the  Chappell ;  I  pray  you  haft  in  this. 
Come  Gertrard,  wee'le  call  vp  our  wifeft  friends, 
And  let  them  know  both  what  we  meane  to  doe 
And  whats  vntimely  doone, 
Whofe  whifper  ore  the  worlds  dyameter, 
As  leuell  as  the  Cannon  to  his  blanck, 
Tranfports  his  poyfned  fhot,  may  miffe  our  Name, 
And  hit  the  woundleffe  ayre,  o  come  away, 

My  foule  is  full  of  dilcord  and  difmay.  Exeunt. 

Enter  Hamlet,  Rofencraus  and  others. 

Ham.     Safely  ftowd,  but  foft,  what  noyfe,  who  calls  on  Hamlet"} 
O  heere  they  come. 

Rof.     What  haue  you  doone  my  Lord  with  the  dead  body  ? 

Ham.     Compound  it  with  duft  whereto  tis  kin. 

Rof.     Tell  vs  where  tis  that  we  may  take  it  thence. 
And  beare  it  to  the  Chappell. 

Ham.     Doe  not  beleeue  it. 

Rof.     Beleeue  what. 

Ham.     That  I  can  keepe  your  counfaile  &  not  mine  owne  befides 
to  be  demaunded  of  a  fpunge,  what  replycation  fhould  be  made  by 
the  fonne  of  a  King. 

Rof.     Take  you  me  for  a  funge  my  Lord? 

Ham.  I  fir,  that  fokes  vp  the  Kings  countenaunce,  his  rewards.his 
authorities,  but  fuch  Officers  doe  the  King  beft  fervice  in  the  end,  he 
kecpes  them  like  an  apple  in  the  corner  of  his  iaw,  firft  mouth'd  to  be 
laft  fwaliowcd,  when  he  needs  what  you  haue  gleand,  it  is  but 
fqueefing  you,  and  fpunge  you  fhall  be  dry  againe. 

Rof.     I  vnderstand  you  not  my  Lord. 


154  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  TJr-Hamlet 


King,  SB^erc  t§  tf|c  6obl)  of  6orom6l)§?  ;&a§  \i  not  t)ct  Been 
rcmoucb? 

Horatio,  ^c  i§  ftill  lijtng  in  t^c  <)Iace  to^crc  ^c  )oo§  ftafificb 
t^rolig^. 

i<^m^.  St  gnctte§  1)§  tijot  ^e  l^ti^  loft  ^t§  life  fo  fubbcnitj.  @o,  tct 
it  Be  tttfen  oh)at|.  £et  it  be  nobit)  Bbrieb.  D^,  prince  ^cmlet,  hJ^at 
^aft  t^o\i  bone  to  ftob  an  olb  anb  ^arnilefg  man!  i^t  griene§  b§  to  our 
l^eart;  blit  o§  it  ^a§  been  bone  nniuittinghj,  t^i§  ntbrber  i§  in  fomc 
begree  ejcbfoble.  ^  fear,  ^oitjelier,  ii)ai  hi^en  it  get§  !noton  among 
tl^e  nobIe§,  t^eii  luill  raife  o  rebellion  omong  mi)  §l)6ject§;  anb  t^cn 
t^ei)  maij  rencngc  ]^i§  'iizai^  on  t|ol).  ^oJoelier,  in  oUr  fat^erlifc  core 
for  t)0D,  toe  l^oue  benifeb  o  ^ilan  ifs  hiarb  off  tf|i§  banger  from  l)ob» 

Hamlet,  ^  am  forrt)  for  it,  mi)  fiorb  Uncle  anb  ?5^at^er,  '^  l^ab 
toif^eb  to  fat)  fomctljing  in  ^jriuatc  to  t^e  Cticen,  in^en  l^e  lal)  in  toait 
for  me  a§  a  f^l).  ^  bib  not,  IjoJueUcr,  fnoJo  i^ai  it  hiag  tl^i§  fillt)  olb 
fool.    Sbt  ^oto  tooblb  l)ol)r  SOJajefti)  ^auc  D§  bo? 

i^w^.  3Se  l^ane  refolneb  to  fenb  t)ol)  to  (^nglanb  becaUfe  t^e  Gng= 
lifl^  G^roton  i§  frienb(t)  to  obr  ohin.  ?)ol)  can  tl)ere  rcfreff)  l)oljrfeIf  for 
oto^ile,  fince  t\)t  nir  t^cre  i§  better  t^an  olirg  anb  mal)  )(nomotz  ijobr 
reconeri).  2Be  toill  giue  tjou  fome  of  olir  olon  attenbant^,  hj^o  f^atl 
occom^ani)  tjob  anb  feme  t)ob  fait^fblll). 

Hamlet,  ^t),  at),  ^ing,  fenb  me  off  to  ^ortbgal;  fo  t^at  ^  mat) 
nener  come  bac!  again.    ^^af§  t^e  better  ^)Ian. 

i^m^.  9'Jo,  not  to  Portugal,  ^\}t  to  Gnglanb;  anb  t^ofe  ttuo  f^all 
occom^jant)  t)oti  on  t^e  jotjrnet).  23l)t  to^en  l)oli  arrine  in  6nglanb  ^ob 
fl^all  l^aue  more  attenbants. 

Hamlet,     S^ofc  are  tf)e  Iacfet)§,  arc  t^el)?    Sflice  fcHotoS! 

i^m^  [apart  to  the  two  attendants^. 


1604  The  Tragicall  Historie  of  Hamlet  155 

Ham.     I  am  glad  of  it,  a  knauifli  fpeech  fleepes  in  a  foolish  eare. 

Rof.  My  Lord,  you  muft  tell  us  where  the  body  is,  and  goe  with 
vs  to  the  King. 

Ham.  The  body  is  with  the  King,  but  the  King  is  not  with  the 
body.     The  King  is  a  thing. 

Guyl.     A  thing  my  Lord. 

Ham.     Of  nothing,  bring  me  to  him.  Exeunt. 

Enter  King,  and  two  or  three. 

King.     I  haue  fent  to  feeke  him,  and  to  find  the  body. 
How  dangerous  is  it  that  this  man  goes  loofe, 
Yet  muft  not  we  put  the  ftrong  Law  on  him, 
Hee's  lou'd  of  the  diftraded  multitude. 
Who  like  not  in  their  iudgement,  but  theyr  eyes, 
And  where  tis  fo,  th'  offenders  fcourge  is  wayed 
But  neuer  the  offence :  to  beare  all  fmooth  and  euen, 
This  fuddaine  fending  him  away  muft  feeme 
Deliebrate  paufe,  difeafes  defperat  growne, 
By  defperate  applyance  are  relieu'd 
Or  not  at  all. 

Enter  Rofencraus  and  all  the  rest. 

King.     How  now,  what  hath  befalne  ? 

Rof.     Where  the  dead  body  is  beftowed  my  Lord 
VVe  cannot  get  from  him. 

King.     But  where  is  hee? 

Rof.     Without  m\'  lord,  guarded  to  know  your  pleasure 

King.     Bring  him  before  vs. 

Rof.     How,  bring  in  the  Lord.  They  enter. 

King.     Now  Hamlet,  where's  Polonius? 

King.     Now  Hamlet  where's  Polonious? 

Ham.     At  fupper. 

King.     At  fupper,  where. 

Ham-  Not  where  he  eates,  but  where  a  is  eaten,  a  certainte  conua- 
cation  of  politique  wormes  are  een  at  him :  your  worme  is  your  onely 
Emperour  for  dyet,  we  fat  all  creatures  els  to  fat  vs,  and  wee  fat  our 
felues  for  maggots,  your  fat  King  and  your  leanc  begger  is  but  varia- 
ble feruice,  two  difhes  but  to  one  table,  that's  the  end. 


156  Tlic  Tragicall  Hisloric  of  Hamlet  Ur-Hamlet 


1604  The  Tragicall  Historie  of  Hamlet  157 

King.     Alas,  alas. 

Ham.  A  man  may  fifh  with  the  worme  that  hath  eate  of  a  King,  & 
eate  of  the  fifh  that  hath  fedde  of  that  worme. 

King.     King.     YVhsLt  dooft  thou  meane  by  this  ? 

Ham.  Nothing  but  to  fhew  you  how  a  King  may  goe  a  progreffe 
through  the  guts  of  a  begger. 


King.    Where  is  Polonius? 

Ham.  In  heauen,  fend  thether  to  fee,  if  your  meffenger  finde  him 
not  there,  feeke  him  i'th  other  place  your  felfe,  but  if  indeed  you  find 
him  not  within  this  month,  you  fhall  nofe  him  as  you  goe  vp  the 
ftayres  into  the  Lobby. 

King.     Goe  feeke  him  there. 

Ham.     A  will  ftay  till  you  come. 

King.     Hamlet  this  deede  for  thine  efpeciall  fafety 
Which  we  do  tender,  as  we  deerely  grieue 
For  that  which  thou  haft  done,  muft  fend  thee  hence. 
Therefore  prepare  thy  felfe. 
The  Barck  is  ready,  and  the  wind  at  helpe, 
Th'affociats  tend,  and  euery  thing  is  bent 
For  England. 

Ham-.     For  England. 

King.     I  Hamlet. 

Ham.     Good. 

King.     So  is  it  if  thou  knew'ft  our  purpofes. 

Ham.     I  fee  a  Cherub  that  fees  the,  but  com«  for  England. 
Farewell  deere  Mother. 

King.     Thy  louing  Father  Hamlet. 

Ham.     My  mother,  Father  and  Mother  is  man  and  wife, 
Man  and  wife  is  one  flefh,  fo  my  mother : 
Come  for  England.  Extt. 

King.     Follow  him  at  foote. 
Tempt  him  with  fpeede  abord, 


158  The  TragicaU  Historic  of  Hamlet  Ur-Hamlet 

Stftcn,  i)0D  tWio.  51'5  footi  a§  \)on  I)a«c  rcnc()cb  ©nfllaub  bo  a§  ^ 
ffaut  orbcrcb  t)oU.  6Jet  a  fiuorb  or  a  pistol  end)  niib  tah  l)i§  life, 
S3ut  f^oblb  tf)i§  attempt  wtfcarrt),  tah  t!)t§  letter  nnb  prefcnt  it  aloitg 
toit^  tf|e  ^;|5rincc  to  tlje  ^Ince  for  lul|icf|  it  i-^  nbbreffeb.  Xfjere  I|e  mW 
he  '50  lueil  loofeb  to  tljnt  I)e  luill  iieucr  come  had  from  englnnb 
ogain.  S3Dt  in  tfji^  point  ufe  veered).  9ieucft(  ijoDr  fiDfiucfs  to  no 
one.    ?)oD  f^all  rcceine  ijoUr  reluarb  m^en  t)0U  return. 

//om/c/.  SSell,  ?)oUr  S^laieftl),  luljo  arc  t^ei),  t^en,  t^t  are  to  beor 
me  com^jani)? 

King,  S^efe  two,  Xf^e  Q^oh§  he  mtff  ijoU;  onb  gine  l)oD  a  fair 
toinb  for  ijoDr  beftination. 

Hamlet,     ^o\o  obieU,  fiabt)  SWot^er. 

King,     .^oh)  i§  t^i§,  ^;princc?  luf)l)  bo  4joD  call  me  9Diotljcr? 

Hamlet,  9)ian  onb  toife  are  one  flef^.  ^at^er  or  SUtot^er— it  i§  all 
i^e  feme  to  me. 

King,    SSeinfarct^eelueU.    ^eauen  ottenb  1)0D.  [Exit, 

Hamlet,    ^o\ii,  \)o\)  nohle  flun!et)0,  are  tfoP  to  he  mt)  com^ianiona? 

Both,    3Se  are,  mi)  fiorb. 

Hamlet,  Gome,  ti)cn,  mi)  noBIc  comrabe§,  (et  D§  Be  off  for  eng= 
lanb.  [Exevnt, 


1604  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  159 

Delay  it  not,  He  haue  him  hence  to  night. 

Away,  for  euery  thing  is  feald  and  done 

That  els  leanes  on  th'affayre,  pray  you  make  haft, 

And  England,  if  my  loue  thou  hold'ft  at  ought, 

As  my  great  power  thereof  may  giue  thee  fence, 

Since  yet  thy  Cicatrice  lookes  raw  and  red, 

After  the  Danifh  fword  and  thy  free  awe 

Payes  homage  to  vs,  thou  mayft  not  coldly  fet 

Our  foueraigne  proceffe,  which  imports  at  full 

By  Letters  congruing  to  that  effe6l 

The  prefent  death  of  Hamlet,  doe  it  England, 

For  like  the  Hectique  in  my  blood  he  rages, 

And  thou  muft  cure  pie ;  till  I  know  tis  done. 

How  ere  my  haps  my  ioyes  will  nere  begin.  Exit. 

Enter  Fortinbraffe  with  his  Army  over  the  stage. 

Fortin.     Goe  Captaine,  from  me  greet  the  Danifh  King. 
Tell  him,  that  by  his  lycence  Fortinbraffe 
Craues  the  conueyance  of  a  promifed  march 
Ouer  his  kingdome,  you  know  the  randeuous 
If  that  his  Maieftie  would  ought  with  vs, 
We  fhall  expreffe  our  dutie  in  his  eye. 
And  let  him  know  fo. 

Cap.     I  will  doo't  my  Lord. 

For.     Goe  foftly  on. 

Enter  Hamlet,  Rofencraus,  &c. 

Ham.     Good  fir  whofe  powers  are  thefe? 

Cap.     They  are  of  Norway  fir. 

Ham..     How  purpofed  fir  I  pray  you  ? 

Cap.     Againft  fome  part  of  Poland. 

Ham.     Who  commaunds  them  fir? 

Cap.     The  Nephew  to  old  Norway,  Fortenbraffe. 

Ham.     Goes  it  againft  the  maine  of  Poland  sir. 
Or  for  fome  frontirc? 

Cap.     Truly  to  fj>cakc.  and  with  no  addition, 
We  goe  to  gaine  a  little  patch  of  ground 


i6o  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  Ur-Hamlet 

Jens,  ^t  t'3  fo  loiifl  filter  ^  Juciit  to  golirt  io  pa\]  w))  taje^.  ^  oni 
nfrotb  t^nt,  go  Utficvc  5  wn^V  5  fOnll  6c  ^)Dt  in  jniL  ^  ^uiflj  ^  colilb 
onit]  finb  fomc  goob  fricnb  )of)o  luolilb  f^en!  a  goob  Uiorb  for  mc,  fo 
t^at  :S  nttg^t  get  off, 

Phantasmo.  2;J|crc  ore  ftranc  going§=on  at  (SoUrt.  prince  ^amltt 
i§  ntob  onb  D^^clta  hi  mab  too.  ^u  fI)ort,  t^ingg  go  on  fo  uerl)  qDcerlti 
t^ot  S  am  ahnoft  rcabi)  to  rUn  a)oai). 

Jens.  5Bi)  oil  t^at'^  Ijolt),  tfjcrc  i§  ntt)  goob  olb  fricnb  ^Ijontafnto. 
9Jo  better  man  colilb  ^  Ijit  D^on.  ^  Willi  aff  f)im  to  §at|  a  goob  Juorb 
for  me.    A>oIIa!    *:)Jiaftcr  ^Ijantofmo! 

Phantasmo.     %l]anU\    SSljat  can  ^  bo  for  \)0\),  SWtfter  ©lobljo^^cr? 

/enj.  91^,  mi)  goob  9Kaftcr  ^Ijantafmo,  'ti§  a  long  time  fincc  ^ 
hJo§  at  gobrt,  onb  ^  om  a  long  tooii  6e^inb=^onb.  '^Wt  in  a  goob  hjorb 
for  me,  onb  ^  hjill  §cnb  4)ob  on  cjccHcnt  c^ecfe. 

Phantasmo.  S»f)at!  2)oft  t^oU  t^inf,  9Jhfter  glomn,  tfjot  ^  get 
nothing  to  eat  ot  SoUrt? 


1604  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  i6i 

That  hath  in  it  no  profit  but  the  name 

To  pay  fiue  duckets,  fine  I  would  not  farme  it ; 

Nor  will  it  yeeld  to  Norway  or  the  Pole 

A  rancker  rate,  fhould  it  befold  in  fee. 

Hai>i.     Why  then  the  PoUackc  neuer  will  defend  it. 

Cap.     Yes,  it  is  already  garisond. 

Ham.     Two  thoufand  loules,  &  twenty  thouiand  duckets 
Will  not  debate  the  queftion  of  this  ftraw 
This  is  th'Impostume  of  much  wealth  and  peace, 
That  inward  breakes,  and  fhowes  no  caufe  without 
Why  the  man  dies.     I  humbly  thanke  you  fir. 

Cap.     God  buy  you  fir. 

Raj.     Wil't  pleafe  you  g"oe  my  Lord  ? 

Ham.     He  be  with  you  ftraight,  goe  a  little  before. 
How  all  occafions  doe  informe  againft  me, 
And  fpur  my  dull  reuenge.    What  is  a  man 
If  his  chiefe  good  and  market  of  his  time 
Be  but  to  fleepe  and  feede,  a  beaft,  no  more: 
Sure  he  that  made  vs  with  fuch  large  difcourfe 
Looking  before  and  after,  gaue  vs  not 
That  capabilitie  and  god-like  reafon 
To  fuft  in  vs  vnvfd,  now  whether  it  be 
Beftial  obliuion,  or  fome  crauen  fcruple 
Of  thinking  too  precifely  on  th'  cuent, 
A  thought  which  quartered  hath  but  one  part  wifdom. 
And  euer  three  parts  coward,  I  doe  not  know 
Why  yet  I  Hue  to  fay  this  thing's  to  doe, 
Sith  I  haue  caufe,  and  will,  and  strength  and  mieanes. 
To  doo't ;  examples  groffe  as  earth  exhort  me, 
Witnes  this  Army  of  fuch  maffe  and  charge, 
Led  by  a  delicate  and  tender  Prince, 
Whofc  fpirit  with  diuine  ambition  puft, 
Makes  mouthes  at  the  invifible  euent, 
Expofing  what  is  mortall,  and  vnfure, 
To  all  that  fortune,  death  and  danger  dare, 
Euen  for  an  Eggc-fhcll.     Rightly  to  be  great, 
Is  not  to  ftirre  without  great  argument, 


1 62  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  TJr-Hamlet 

Jens,    D  finb  "iDJnftcr  ^>^antnfmo,  ^rai)  ho  not  forget  tnc! 
Phantasmo,     6ome  along,  Globljop^cr.    SSc'lI  fee  if  ioe  can  ^Jlit  ijoij 
rigfit  ot  t^e  taj  collector'^.  [£.rt^'n^. 


Ophelia,  ^  rDn  onb  rtJn  onb  connot  finb  \\\\)  fjnectljeort  ^c  ^c§ 
fent  to  me  come  to  ^tm»  SBe  ore  to  6e  marrtcb;  anb  ^  am  breffeb. 
for  it  olreabt).  33Dt  t^ere  ^e  i§,  mi)  Sone!  0%  mi)  lambfin!  ^  f)oue 
§ol)gI)t  i)oi)  enerijto^ere;  eneri))ul|ere  Ijane  ^  ^o'oq^i  l)ol).  23ut  tljinf^ 
tl^e  tailor  ^a§  f:poiIt  ml)  mUflin  golun.  ©ce,  t^ere  i§  a  :prettl)  flotoer  for 
t)ol),  mi)  ^eart! 

Phantasmo.  £)^,  tlje  ^euil!  ^  loiff)  f^e  lucre  atoal).  S^c  ta!e§  me 
for  \)tx  ftoeet^eart. 

Ophelia,  2B^at  foi)eft  t^^o'o,  ml)  fione?  2Be  loill  go  to  6eb  together. 
;S  toilt  toafi)  ^ol)  (|l)ite  clean, 

Phantasmo,  2ll)e,  ot)e;  ^^H  foo^j  l)ou  anb  luof^  l)ol)  onb  hiring  t)Oli 
obt  too. 

Ophelia,  ^orf,  ml)  £one,  l)aft  t^ou  afreabl)  |il)t  on  ^obr  fine  fbit? 
2ll)e.    5;^ot  i§  toell  mobe;   ql)ite  in  tl)e  lateft  ftl)(e. 

Phantasmo,     ^  fnolo  t^at  loitl)otit — 

Ophelia,  %Ud,  olac!!  :S  ^ob  near(l)  forgotten.  2:^e  ^ing  ^a§ 
tnniteb  me  to  fU|)^)er,  onb  ^  mlift  mofe  ^afte.    93?l)  coac^!  ml)  coac^! 

[Exit, 

Phantasmo,  O  ^ecote,  tl)Ol)  Qtieen  of  U)itcl)c§,  ^ohj  gtab  ^  am  t^ot 
mob  t^ing  i§  off.  ^f  f^e  ^ob  ftal)eb  onl)  longer  ^  f^oulb  l)onc  Been 
mol)  ml)fclf.    3  mbft  get  olnol)  before  t^c  mobmomon  come§  ogoin. 


1604  The  Tragical!  Historic  of  Hamlet  163 

But  greatly  to  find  quarrell  in  a  ftraw 
When  honour's  at  the  ftake,  how  ftand  I  then 
That  haue  a  father  kild,  a  mother  ftaind, 
Excytements  of  my  reafon,  and  my  blood, 
And  let  all  fleepe,   while  to  my  fhame  I  fee 
The  iminent  death  of  twenty  thou f and  men. 
That  for  a  fantafie  and  tricke  of  fame 
Gk>e  to  their  graues  like  beds,  fight  for  a  plot 
Whereon  the  numbers  cannot  try  the  caufe, 
Which  is  not  tombe  enough,  and  continent 
To  hide  the  flain,  o  from  this  time  forth, 

My  thoughts  be  bloody,  or  be  nothing  worth.  Exit. 

Enter  Horatio  Gertrard,  and  a  Gentleman. 
Qiiee.     I  will  not  fpeake  with  her, 
Gent.     Shee  is  importunat, 
Indeede  diftract,  her  moode  will  needes  be  pittied. 
Qiiee.     What  would  fhe  haue? 

Gent.     She  fpeakes  much  of  her  father,  fayes  fhe  heares 
There's  tricks  i'th  world,  and  hems,  and  beates  her  hart, 
Spurns  enuioufly  at  ftrawes,  fpeakes  things  in  doubt 
That  carry  but  half  fence,  her  fpeech  is  nothing. 
Yet  the  vnfhaped  vfe  of  it  doth  moue 
The  hearers  to  colledlion,  they  yawne  at  it. 
And  botch  the  words  vp  fit  to  theyr  owne  thoughts, 
Which  as  her  wincks,  and  nods,  and  geftures  yeeld  them, 
Indeede  would  make  one  thinke  there  might  be  thought 
Though  nothing  fure,  yet  much  vnhappily. 

Hora.     Twere  good  fhe  were  fpoken  with,  for  fhee  may  ftrew 
Dangerous  conicdlures  in  ill  breeding  mindes, 
Let  her  come  in. 

Enter  Ophelia. 
Quee.     *To  my  ficke  foule,  as  finnes  true  nature  is, 
'Each  toy  teemcs  prologue  to  fome  great  amiffe, 
'So  full  of  artlefe  iea:lousie  is  guilt, 
'It  f pills  its  felfc,  in  fearing  to  be  fpylt. 

Oph.     Whore  is  the  beautious  Maieftic  of  Denmarke? 

Quee.     How  now  Ophelia?  fhe  fings. 


164  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  TJr-Hamlet 


Phantasmo,  ©otng  or  ftonbtng,  t^at  baft  maiben,  tl)at  D^jJ^elto, 
t§  oftcr  mc  ai  eiicri)  comer.  3  fon  get  no  ))eacc.  Slje  fal)§  ^  am 
^er  loiter;  onb  ^  am  not.  Sf  3  coDlb  fiut  I)ibe  mljfcif  fometofjere  lo^cre 
f^e  coulb  not  finb. 

Ophelia.  SB^erc  t§  mtj  flueet^eart?  2;^e  rogUe  \m\\  not  ftai)  loitl^ 
tnc.  (Sucr  alooli — 6ot  fee,  tijere  ^e  t§!  Ciften,  m\)  £oue,  ^  ^aue  Been 
tott^  tf|e  ^rieft,  anb  ^e  \m\i  ntarrl)  D^  t^i§  nert)  bat).  ^  f)ane  ntabe  all 
reabl)  for  t^e  toebbing — cljtcfen,  f)arc§,  meat,  Butter,  anb  c^cefe — alt 
6ot)gf)t.  S^ere  i^  nothing  nolo  luanting  6Dt  t^e  mufictang  io  ^lat)  i)§ 
its  6eb. 

Phantasmo.  ^  can  onli)  fai)  ?)e§.  (Some,  t^en,  Iet^§  go  to  6eb  to= 
gctl^er. 

Ophelia.  9Zo,  no,  mt)  puppet,  luc  tnUft  firft  go  loitl)  one  another  to 
(S^DrcI),  onb  t^cn  Joe^U  tat  anb  brtn!  anb  bonce;  t^ot  Wt  toilL  SSc 
hjill  6e  rigl|t  merrl)! 

Phantasmo.     ?lt)e,  ot)e,  rtgf)t  merrl);   tfjree  eoting  out  of  one  bif^. 

Ophelia,  SS^ot  bo  t)0\s  fot)?  Sf  i)o»  toon^t  ^oue  ntc,  ^'11  not  ^oue 
tfoP  [strikes  him],  £00!  t)onber!  S^ot^g  ml)  fioue  t^ere.  $e  i§  ntofing 
f{gn§  to  nte.  See  lul)at  o  fine  fuit  of  cIot^e§  Ije  ^a§.  See,  ^e  t§  entic= 
tng  ntc  to  Ijim.  ^e  lutll  t^rolo  me  a  lillj  onb  0  rofe.  ^e  toiii  tah  mt 
in  f}i§  atm§,    §e  t§  moftng  fign§  to  mt.    ^  am  coming;  ^  om  coming. 

[Exit, 

Phantasmo,  9lt  ctofe  quartern  f^e  i§  fim^ile,  onb  at  a  fair  biftoncc 
f^e'g  botonrig^t  mob.  ^  toif^  f^e  h)a§  ^ongeb  onb  t^en  t^c  corrion 
coUlb  not  rlin  oftcr  mc  fo.  [Exit* 


1604  The  Tragicall  Historie  of  Hamlet  165 

Oph.     How  fhould  I  your  true  loue  know  from  another  one, 
By  his  cockle  hat  and  ftaffe,  and  his  Sendall  fhoone 

Qnee.     Alas  fweet  Lady,  what  imports  this  fong 

Oph.     Say  you,  nay  pray  you  marke. 
He  is  dead  and  gone  Lad}',  he  is  dead  and  gone, 
At  his  head  a  graftgreene  turph,  at  his  heeles  a  stone. 
O  ho. 

Quee.     Nay  but  Ophelia. 

Oph.     Pray  you  marke.  White  his  fhrowd  as  the  mountaine  snow. 

Enter  King. 

Qnee.     Alas  looke  heere  my  Lord. 

Oph.     Larded  all  with  fweet  flowers, 
Which  beweept  to  the  ground  did  not  go.  Song. 

With  true  loue  flowers. 


King.     How  doe  you  pretty  Lady? 

Oph.     W>11  good  dild  you,  they  fay  the  Owle  was  a  Bakers  daugh- 
ter. Lord  we  know  what  we  are,  but  know  not  what  we  may  be. 
God  be  at  your  table. 


King.     Conceit  vpon  her  Father. 

Oph.     Pray  lets  haue  no  words  of  this,  but  when  they  aske  you 
what  it  means,  fay  you  this 

To  morrow  is  S.  Valentines  day.  Song. 

All  in  the  morning  betime, 
And  I  a  mayde  at  your  window 
To  be  your  valentine. 

Then  vp  he  rofe,  and  dond  his  clothes  and  dupt  the  chamber  doore. 
Let  in  the  maide,  that  out  a  maide,  neuer  departed  more. 

King.     Pretty  Ophelia. 

Oph.     Indcede,  without  an  oath  He  make  an  end  on't. 
By  gis  and  by  Saint  Chartie, 

alack  and  fie  for  fhame, 
Young  men  will  doo't  if  they  come  too't, 
by  Cock  they  are  too  blame. 


1 66  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  TJr-Hamlet 


1604  The  Tragicall  Historie  of  Hamlet  167 

Quoth  fhe,  Before  you  tumbled  me,  you  promised  me  to  wed, 
(He  anfwers.)     So  would  I  a  done  by  yonder  funne 
And  thou  hadft  not  come  to  my  bed. 

King.     How  long  hath  she  been  thus  ? 

Oph.  I  hope  all  will  be  well,  we  muft  be  patient,  but  I  cannot 
chufe  but  weep  to  thinke  they  would  lay  him  i'th  cold  ground  my 
brother  fhall  know  of  it,  and  fo  I  thanke  you  for  your  good  counfaile. 
Come  my  Coach.     God  night  Ladies,  god  night. 


King.     Follow  her  clofe,  give  her  good  watch  I  pray  you. 
O  this  is  the  poyfon  of  deep  griefe,  it  fprings  aill  from  her  Fathers 
death,  and  now  behold  a  Gertrard,  Gertrard. 
When  forrowes  come,  they  come  not  fingle  fpyes, 
But  in  battalians ;  first  her  Father  flaine, 
Next,  your  fonne  gone,  and  he  moft  violent  Author 
Of  his  ownc  iuft  remoue.  the  people  muddied 
Thick  and  vnwholfome  in  thoughts,  and  whipers 
For  good  Poloniiis  death  :  anrl  we  have  done  but  greenly 
In  hugger  mugger  to  inter  him  :  I'oore  Ophelia 
Deuidcd  from  herfelf,  and  her  fair  iudgment. 
Without  the  which  we  are  i)i(5lures,  or  meere  beafst, 
Laft,  and  as  iniuli  contayning  as  all  thefe. 
Her  brother  is  in  fccrct  come  from  Fraunce, 

12 


i68  The  Tras.icall  Historic  of  Hamlet  TJr-Hamlet 


"ti 


King.  SBc  luiffj  io  ftnb  QMi  Jiom  it  goc§  )uitf)  oUr  fon,  %x'mu  .t>am= 
let,  nnb  tul)ctf)cr  tijc  men  )u()om  luc  ^cnt  Juitl)  Ijim  feIIoiu=traiteIlcr§ 
Ijauc  benit  IjonornbiD  imtfj  t)tm,  cuen  a^  lue  comimntbeb. 

Phantasmo.     9leJu^,  9Jtifter  .^\ing!     ^^rcff)  ncJyii! 

Kfn^.     SBIjat  i^  it,  ^l^l)antafmo? 

Phantasmo.     fieonfjarbl)^  J)a§  come  fjomc  from  ^ronce. 

King.     Sfjat  ^tcafe§  u^n    Set  f)im  ^rcfent  fjimfclf. 


1604  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  169 

Feeds  on  this  wonder,  keepes  himfelfe  in  clowdes, 

And  wants  not  buzzers  to  infed  his  care 

With  peftilent  fpeeches  of  his  fathers  death, 

Wherein  neceffity  of  matter  beg-gerd, 

Will  nothing-  ftick  our  perfon  to  arraigne 

In  eare  and  eare :  o  my  deare  Gertrard,  this 

Like  to  a  murdring  peece  in  many  places. 

Giues  me  fuperfluous  death.  A  Noife  within 

Enter  a  Meffenger. 

King.     Attend,  where  is  my  Swiffers,  let  them  gtiard  the  doore. 
What  is  the  matter  ? 

Mcffen.     Saue  yourselfe  my  Lord. 
The  Ocean  ouer-peering  of  his    lift 
Eares  not  the  flats  with  more  impitious  haft. 
Then  young  Laertes  in  a  riotous  head 
Ore-beares  your  Officers  :  the  rabble  call  him  Lord, 
And  as  the  world  were  now  but  to  beginne. 
Antiquity  forgot,  cuftome  not  knowne, 
The  ratifiers  and  props  of  euery  word, 
The  cr)^  choofe  we,  Laertes  fhall  be   .King. 
Caps,  hands  and  tongues  applau'd  it  to  the  douds, 
Laertes  shall  be  King.  Laertes  King. 

Qnee.     How  cheerfully  on  the  false  traile  they  cry.  A  noise  within. 
O  this  is  counter  your  falfe  Danifh  dogges. 

Enter  Laertes  with  others. 

King.     The  doors  are  broke. 

Laer.     Where  is  this  King  ?     firs  ftand  you  all  without. 

All.     No  lets  come  in. 

Laer.     I  pray  you  giue  me  leaue. 

All.     We  will,  we  will. 

La^cr.     I  thanke  you,  keepe  the  doore,  o  thou  vile  King. 
Giue  me  my  father. 

Qnee.     Calmely  gfxjd  Laertes. 

Laer.     That  dro]>  of  blood  thats  calme  proclaims  me  Baftard, 
Cries  cuckold  to  my  father,  brands  the  Harlot 
Euen  here  betwecnc  the  chaft  vnsmirched  browe 


170  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  ITr-Hamlet 


1604  The  Tragicall  Historie  of  Hamlet  171 

Of  my  true  mother. 

King.     What  is  the  caufe  Laertes 
That  thy  rebellion  lookes  fo  gyant  like  ? 


Let  him  goe  GertVard,  doe  not  feare  our  perfon, 
There's  fuch  diuindtie  doth  hedge  a  King, 
That  treafon  can  but  peepe  to  what  it  would 
Adl's  little  of  his  will,  tell  me  Laertes 
Why  thou  art  thus  incenft  let  him  goe  Gertrard. 
Speake  man. 

Laer    Where  is  my  father? 

King.     Dead. 

Quee.     Eut  not  by  him. 

King    Let  him  demaund  his  fill. 

Laer.     How  came  he  dead,  Fl  not  be  iugled  with 
To  hell  allegiance,  vowes  to  the  blackeft  deulill, 
Confcience  and  grace,  to  the  profoundeft  pit 
I  dare  damnation,  to  this  poynt  I  ftand, 
That  both  the  worlds  I    giue  to  negligence. 
Let  come  what  comes,  only  Fie  be  reueng'd, 
Moft  thoroughly  for  my  father, 

King.     Who  fhall  ftay  you? 

Laer.     My  will,  not  all  the  world's : 
And  for  my  meanes  Fie  husband  them  fo  well, 
They  fhall  goe  farre  with  little. 

King.     Good  Laertes,  if  you  desire  to  know  the  certainty. 
Of  your  deere  Father,  i'ft  writ  in  your  reuenge, 
That  foopftake,  you  will  draw  both  friend  and  foe 
Winner  and  loofer. 

Laer.     None  but  his  enemies, 

King.     Will  you  know  them  then  ? 

Laer.     To  his  gof)d  friends  thus  wide  Fie  ope  my  armes 
And  like  the  kind  life-rendering  Pelican. 
Repaft  them  with  my  blood. 


172  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  TJr-Hamlet 


Leonhardvs.  SKt)  groctoUS  fiorb  anb  Stnfl,  ^  bemanb  of  ?)oDr  aKaj* 
cftl)  cttljcr  m\)  fotljcr  or  rcucngc  for  I)i§  terrible  tnUrbcr.  ^yf  *^t§  be 
not  forthcoming  ^  fljttU  forget  t^ot  \)oM  are  ^ing,  anb  nttjfelf  tafc  mtj 
oton  renenge  on  tlje  ntUrberer, 

King.  £eon]^arbD§,  be  Stttifficb  tfiat  We  are  gDiltlefS  of  tjoDr  father's 
beot^.  ^incc  ^omlct  affoffinoteb  ^im  be^inb  t^c  ^onging§,  but  tot 
\a\\\  fee  tl^at  \)z  i§  iiUniflieb  for  t^e  beeb. 

Leonhardvs,  5l§  ?)oUr  SWnjefttj  i§  guiltlefs  of  ml)  fat^cr'§  bcatlj,  ^ 
foil  on  m\)  fncc§  onb  beg  for  ^jorbon.  5!Kt)  anger  a^  mell  0^  lone  for 
mi)  father  fo  oncrcnmc  me  i^ai  '^  fneto  not  rtljot  '^  bib. 

iCm^.  DoU  are  forgincn.  SSc  can  eafilt)  belienc  tl)at  it  touches 
^ob  ncarii)  to  l^ane  loft  i)oUr  fatl)er  fo  mifcrablt).  35ut  reft  fatifficb — 
^ob  f^oll  finb  a  father  in  obrfeluei. 

Leonhardvs.     i^  t^on^  ^i^^  f«»r  ^^i*^  S^cat  act  of  rot)aI  finbncf§. 


Qz^fm.    @rociou§  £orb  onb  Sing,  bcoreft  ^nfbonb,  ^  bring  )^f>vi  bob 

King.    SS^ot  i§  it,  ml)  beoreft  fobi? 

Qf^m.  SWt)  fouorite  maib=of=^onoDr,  D^J^elia,  rDn§  D<j  onb  bomn, 
onb  cric§  onb  fcreom^,  onb  cat§  nothing  anb  brinf§  nothing,  %^t\) 
fol)  f^e  ^o§  qbite  (oft  l^er  toii^. 

King.    9lla§!  one  ^ear§  nothing  elfe  h)it  fob  onb  unba)><)l)  neln^. 

Ophelia,  ©ec !  t^ere!  i)oU  ^aue  o  flotoer;  anbt)oD;  onb  l)0U»  [Giues 
each  a  flower.]  ^Ut  h)I)ot,  hi^ot  M^^'H  ^  oH  h\ii  forgotten?  ^  mlift 
rbn  qbicf.  ^  ^one  forgotten  mt)  jehiel^.  %%  mt)  biobem.  ^  muft 
go  ot  once  to  t^e  6ot>rt  jemeHer,  onb  off  inbot  neh)  fofbion§  ^c  ^o§  got. 
©0,  fo;  lot)  obt  t^e  toble  qbicfll).    iS  f^o^t  foon  ^^  ^"f^*  [/?mw^  o/f. 


1604  The  Tragical!  Historic  of  Hamlet  173 

King.     Why  now  you  fpeake 
Like  a  good  child,  and  a  true  Gentleman, 
That  I  am  guiltleffe  of  your  fathers  death. 
And  am  moft  fencible  in  griefs  for  it 
It  fhall  as  leuvell  to  your  judgment  peare 

As  day  dooes  to  your  eye  A  noyse  within. 

Enter  Ophilia. 

Laer.     Let  her  come  in. 
How  now,  what  noyfe  is  that? 


O  heate,  dry  vp  my  braines,  teares  feauen  times  fait 

Bume  out  the  fence  and  vertue  of  mine  eye, 

By  heauen  thy  madnes  fhall  be  payd  with  weight 

Tell  our  fcale  tume  the  beame,  O.  Rofe  of  May 

Deere  mayd,  kind  fifter,  fweet  Ophelia, 

O  heauens,  ift  poffible  a  young  maids  wits 

Should  be  as  mortal  1  as  a  poore  mans  life. 

Oph.     They  bore  him  bare-fafte  on  the  Beere.  Song. 

And  in  his  graue  rain'd  many  a  teare, 
Fare  you  well  my  Doue 

Laer.     Had  ft  thou  thy  wits,  and  did'ft  perfwardereuenge 
It  could  not  mooue  thus.  ' 

Oph.     You  muft  fing  a  downe  a  downe, 
And  you  call  him  a  downe  a.     O  how  the  wheele  becomes  it. 
It  is  the  falfe  Steward  that  ftole  his  Maifters  daughter. 

Laer.     1'his  nothing's  more  then   matter. 

Oph.     There's  Rofemary,  thats  for  remembrance,  pray  you  loue 
remember,  and  there  is  Fancies,  thats  for  thoughts. 

Laer.     A  document  in  madness,  thoughts  and  remembrance  fitted. 

Ophe.     There's  Fennill  for  you,  and  Colembines,  there's  Rewe  for 


174  The  Tragkall  Historic  of  Hamlet  TJr-Hamlet 


Leonhardvs.  3lm  ^>  t^cn,  fioru  tii  mifcric^  of  oU  fort§?  Wi)  fotljcr 
i§  bcob;  mtj  filter  i'5  mnb.    Wi\)  Ijcart  i§  blirfting  luitl)  grief. 

King,  £coul)arbU'^,  be  fntiffieb:  ijoU  fIjnU  line  ftrft  in  oUr  fanoDr. 
S3yt  bo  l)ou^  beareft  Ciueen,  ^Icnfc  to  Junlf  Juttl)in  luttl)  o^,  for  lue  f)a«c 
fecret  ttbing^'  to  rcncnl  io  l)o0  alone.  fieouI)nrbUsi,  forget  not  iufiat  lue 
Ijaue  fatb  io  l]ou. 

Otcr/n  9A't)  ^ttng,  lue  muft  tijinf  of  fometljing  bl)  !ul)icl)  tfti§  Utt= 
fortunate  maibcn  mat)  be  reftoreb  to  \)n  fenfe^. 

/(Tw^.  Set  tfje  cafe  be  (aib  before  obr  olun  ^l|l)fician.  !i8bt  t)0U, 
fieonI|orbD§,  foIIoJu  U§. 


1604  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  175 

you,  &  heere's  fome  for  me,  we  may  call  it  herbe  of  Grace  a  Sondaies, 
you  may  weare  your  Rewe  with  a  difference,  there's  a  Dafie,  I  would 
giue  you  fome  Violets,  but  they  withered  all  when  my  Father  dyed, 
they  fay  a  made  a  good  end. 
For  bonny  fweet  Robin  is  all  my  ioy. 

Laer.     Thought  and  afflidlions,  paffion,  hell  it  felfe 
She  turnes  to  fauour  and  to  prettines. 

Oph.     And  wil  a  not  come  again,  "  Song. 

And  wil  a  not  come  againe. 
No,  no,  he  is  dead,  goe  to  thy  death  bed, 
He  neuer  will  come  againe. 
His  beard  was  as  white  as  fnow. 
Flaxen  was  his  pole, 

He  lis  gone,  he  is  gone,  and  we  caft  away  mone, 
God  a  mercy  on  his  foule,  and  of  all  Chriftians  foules, 
God  by  you. 

Laer.     Doe  you  this  o  God. 

King.     Laertes,  I  muft  commune  with  your  grief e, 
Or  you  deny  me  right,  goe  but  apart, 
Make  choice  of  whom  your  wifeft  friends  you  will, 
And  they  fhall  heare  and  iudge  twixt  you  and  me, 
If  by  dired,  or  by  colaturall  hand 
They  find  vs  toucht.  we  will  our  kingdome  giue. 
Our  crowne,  our  life,  and  all  that  we  call  ours 
To  you  in  fatiisfadlion  ;  but  if  not, 
Be  you  content  to  lend  your  patience  to  vs. 
And  we  fhall  ioyntly  labour  with  your  foule 
To  giue  it  due  content. 

Laer.     Let  this  be  fo. 
His  meanes  of  death,  his  obfcure  funerall, 
No  trophe  fword,  nor  hatchment  ore  his  bones, 
No  noble  right,  nor  formall  oftentation, 
Cry  to  be  heard  as  twere  from  heauen  to  earth, 
That  I  muft  call't  in  queftion. 

King.     So  you  fhall, 
And  where  th'ofFcnce  is,  let  the  great  axe  fall. 
I  pray  you  goe  with  me.  Exetint. 


176  The  Tragicall  Historie  of  Hamlet  Ur-Hamlet 


1604  The  Tragical!  Historic  of  Hamlet  177 


Enter  King  and  Letters. 
King.     Now  inuft  your  confcicnce  my  acquittance  feale, 
And  you  nnift  put  me  in  your  liart  for  friend, 
Sith  you  hauc  heard  and  with  a  knowings  eare, 
That  he  which  hath  your  noble  father  flaine 
Purfued  my  Hfe. 


178  The  Tragical  I  Historic  of  Hamlet  Ur-Hamlet 

Hamlet.  2I)crc\^  n  ^fcafant  ^focc  fjctc  on  t\)hi  iffiinb.  Sc'It  reft 
Ijcrc  fllufiilc,  nnb  bine.  Jljcrc'^:!  n  ^lenfnnt  iuoob  nnb  cool  ftrenm  of 
hJttter.  So  brtnn  me  of  Hie  6eft  from  tlje  flji^;  for  I)cre  lue'II  enfoi) 
ourfelne'^. 

First  RvtHan.  9Jit)  Sorb  nnb  ©race,  tljt§  t§  no  time  for  enttnn;  for 
from  i\]U  tflnnb  liou  luilf  nener  be^nrt.  ^ere  i§  i\)t  \poi  iufjicfi  i§ 
cljofen  for  ijour  bl)rinl=n''0i)nb. 

Hamlet.  Sljnt  fttljeft  tIjoD,  tinfe  ffnuc?  ^noiucft  tljoD  Juljo  ^  ami 
SBouIb  Hon  ^af'5  ieft'^  on  n  ^^'Irince  ^KoMal?  .$>on)ener,  for  t!)i§  time,  i^ 
fornine  ijoU. 

Second  RvfUan.     v?t  i^  no  jeft.     3^t  i§  boJonrtr^^t  enrneft. 

Hamlet,  28I)J)  tfji^'?  3Sf|at  injurl)  f)nnc  3  cncr  bone  i)oD?  ?5^or  mi) 
|)art  ^  can  tl)inf  of  none,    ifijfnir  tfien,  fDcI)  6ab  intention^? 

First  RvfHwu  St  t^  olir  orber§  from  tf)c  ^ing,  oa  foon  o§  hie  get 
§)oDr  .S^igfinef^  on  i\\\^  iflanb  lue  are  to  ta!c  ijolir  life. 

Hamlet.  9Jilj  beor  frienbs,  f^jare  ml)  life.  Sal)  t^at  t)oD  Ijaue  bone 
t)0Dr  morf;  onb  fo  long  a§  :3  tiwc  ^  mill  nener  come  in  figljt  of  t^e 
Sing.  2;f)in!  mell  m^etfjer  iiou  bo  tjourfclue^  goob  6t)  Rawing  on  i)olir 
^onbs  tf)e  bloob  of  an  innocent  ^srince.  SSiK  iioU  ftotn  t)0Ur  con= 
fciencc§  luitl)  ml)  fin^?  %U^,  ii^ai  in  an  enil  l)oDr  life  t^i§  ^  ^ouc  no 
toea^on!    ^f  ^  I)ob  6l)t  fometi)ing  in  mt)  ^anb§ — 

[Makes  an  attempt  to  seize  a  sivord. 

Second  RvMan.     §o(lo,  comrabe!     £oof  olit  for  i)ol>r  )nea))on. 

First  RvfHan.  ^'11  loof  out.  9iolu,  iPrince,  ^re^are  ^ourfetf.  SBe 
l^ane  no  time  to  lofe. 

Hamlet,  ©ince  it  cannot  6c  otf)ermife,  anb  ^  mljft  bic  ot  l)ol>r 
]^onb§  at  t^e  Bibbing  of  a  tt)rannica(  Sling,  ^  mnft  fuBmit,  alt^oug^  ^ 
f}avic  bone  no  inrong.  5lnb  l)olJ,  brinen  to  tl)e  beeb  6t)  ;pouerti),  iS  ^»ttt= 
ingit)  forgine.  9Jil)  6foob,  I)o)uener,  mnft  6e  anftoereb  for  6^  tljc  fra= 
tricibe  anb  ijarricibe  at  tl)e  great  bat)  of  jubgment. 

First  RvMan.  28!jot  l)ane  Jue  to  bo  mitf)  tl)e  bat)  of  jtibgrncnt? 
2;o=bat)  t§  tl)e  bat)  for  our  6l)finef§. 

Second  RuMan.  XrOe,  6rotl)er!  £et  U§  get  to  tnorf.  £et  t)§  fire; 
t)ol)  from  one  fibe  anb  ^  on  tf)e  otl)er. 

Hamlet,  ^ear  me  6lit  for  one  Jnorb.  6«en  t^c  nert)  toorft  of 
criminals  moulb  not  6e  benieb  a  time  in  recent  in.  ^  ^rat)  t)ot),  t^cit, 
on  innocent  ^^rincc  tt§  ^  am,  to  let  me  abbref§  to  mt)  SRofer  an  corncft 


1604  TJic  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  179 

Enter  Horatio  and  others. 

Hora.     What  are  they  that  would  fpeake  with  me? 

Gent.     Sea-faring  men  fir.  they  fay  they  haue  Letters  for  you. 

Hor.     Let  them  come  in. 
I  doe  not  know  from  what  part  of  the  world 
I  fhould  be  greeted .     If  not  from  Lord  Hamlet.         Enter  Saylers. 

Say.     God  bleffe  \ou  fir. 

Hora.     Let  him  bleffe  thee  to. 

Say.  A  fhall  fir  and  pleafe  him.  there's  a  Letter  for  you  fir,  it 
came  fro  th'Embaffador  that  was  bound  for  England,  if  your  name 
be  Horatio,  as  I  am  let  to  know  it  is. 

Hor.  Horatio,  when  thou  fhalt  haue  ouer  lookt  this,  giue  thefe  fel- 
lowes  fome  meanes  to  the  King,  they  haue  Letters  for  him :  Ere  wee 
were  two  daies  old  at  Sea,  a  Pyrat  of  very  warlike  appointment  gaue 
vs  chafe,  finding  our  felues  too  flow  of  fade,  wee  put  on  a  compelled 
valour,  and  in  the  grapple  I  boorded  them,  on  the  infant  they  got 
cleere  of  our  fhyp,  fo  I  alone  became  theyr  prifoner,  they  haue  dealt 
with  me  like  thieues  of  mercie,  but  they  knew  what  they  did,  I  am  to 
doe  a  turne  for  them,  let  the  King  haue  the  Letters  I  haue  fent,  and 
repayre  thou  to  me  with  as  much  fpeede  as  thou  wouldeft  fiie  death, 
I  haue  wordes  to  fpeake  in  thine  eare  will  make  thee  dumbe,  yet  are 
they  much  too  light  for  the  bord  of  the  matter,  thefe  good  fellowes 
will  bring  thee  where  I  am,  Rojcncrans  and  Guyldensterne  hold  theyr 
courfe  for  England,  of  them  I  haue  much  to  tell  thee,  farewell. 

So  that  thou  knoiwst  thine  Hamlet. 

Hor.     Come  I  will  you  way  for  thefe  your  letters, 
And  doo't  the  fpeedier  that  you  may  dired  me 
To  him  from  whom  you  brought  them.  Exeunt. 


i8o  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  Ur-Hamlet 

prniicr;  after  tfti':^  ^  ant  rcobt)  to  bit.  IsBlJt  ^  hjill  ntofc  a  fic^n.  ^  hiUt 
turn  niJi  Ijanb^  toiuarb  .'pcancn,  anb  tfjc  moment  ^  ftrctclj  oMi  ml)  arm^ 
Doll  can  fire.  One  of  ijou  oini  on  one  fibe,  anb  tf)e  otfjer  on  tf)c  otl)cr; 
anb  Juljcn  v'r  foil  "<vtre/'  ni«c  mc  Juf)at  ^  nccb.  58e  fore  io  \)xi  me  fo  tf)ot 
S  ffiall  not  fliffer  lonfl. 

Second  Rzifian.     SS^ell,  lue  mal)  bo  ai5  mUcf)  aci  tljt^  for  ijol);  fo  flo  on. 

Hamlet  [separates  his  hands  from  one  another],  i^tre.  [Throzvs 
himself  forzvard  between  the  tzvo,  who  shoot  one  another,]  D  jtjft  ^can= 
en,  3  tfjanf  Don  for  tfji^^  fjcancnhi  ibea,  onb  ^  intU  tt(lijai)§  renerence  tlje 
gl'arbian  ancjel  Juljo  tOroUfll)  tl]U  Ija^pl)  tfjoliflfjt  i)a4  faneb  ml)  life! 
Tftefc  lurctcljco  ()ane  onln  lufiat  ii  bue  t()em.  ^a\  tf)c  bog^  ftilt  mone; 
tfjcD  fianc  fl)Dt  one  anotfje^  Siit  3  'ui^I  nine  tl)c  (aft  ftrofe  to  ml)  re- 
ncnge,  anb  niafc  furc:  elfc  tijc  rogDc§  mal)  efca:)je  [stabs  them  zvith 
their  ozvn  szvords].  9Jon)  luill  ^s  fee  luf)ctf)cr  tf)cl)  I)ane  anl)  fecret  init^ 
tijem.  %t)k^  one  ()a§  notf)inn.  Cn  t^t§  mUrberer,  ^oiuener,  ^  finb  a 
letter  lufticf)  ^  mill  mafe  free  to  rcab.  SIjt§  letter  t§  lurttten  to  an 
orcI)=mi)rbercr  in  6nglanb,  tf)at,  in  cafe  t^t§  attem^Jt  fait,  t^el)  f^oulb 
mafe  me  oner  to  t)\m,  onb  f)e  luoUtb  juft  Blolu  olit  tfjc  Iigl)t  of  ml)  life. 
2lje  {^oht^  ftnnb  6l)  tl)e  juft.  9Jolu  milf  3  return,  to  tJje  terror  of  ml) 
fatf)er.  5Put  5  JJJitl  not  truft  onl)  longer  to  mater,  for  lu^o  fnolos  6l)t 
mljat  t{)e  ff)iv'^  captain  mal)  be  a  niltoin,  too,  ^  mill  go  to  t!)e  firft 
ftation  anb  tnfe  :poft.  Zi)c  failor^^'  3  luitt  orber  6acf  to  ^cnmorf. 
2^efc  rafcalf^,  ^olucner,  ^  mill  tr)rolu  into  t^e  mater.  [Exit, 


Phantasmo,     Uncle,  ^ing,  more  nenj#  ftiU! 
King,     ^^at  i^  l)0Ur  lateft  nem§? 
Phantasmo.     ^^Jrince  ;!pam(et  t)a§  come  6ac!^ 


1604  The  Tragical!  Hist  or  ie  of  Hamlet  i8i 

Laer.     It  well  appeares  :  but  tell  mee 
Why  you  proceede  not  againft  thefe  feates 
So  criminal  and  fo  capitall  in  nature, 
As  by  your  fafetie,  greatnes,  wifdome,  all  things  els 
You  mainely  were  ftirr'd  vp. 

King.     O  for  two  fpeciall  reafons 
Which  may  to  you  perhaps  feeme  much  vnfinnow'd, 
But  yet  to  mee  tha'r  ftrong,  the  Queene  his  mother 
Liues  almoft  by  his  lookes,  and  for  my  felfe, 
My  vertue  or  my  plague,  be  it  eyther  which. 
She  is  so  concliue  to  my  Life  and  foule, 
That  as  the  ftarre  mooues  not  but  in  his  fphere 
I  could  not  but  by  her,  the  other  motiue, 
Why  to  a  pubdique  count  I  might  not  goe. 
Is  the  great  loue  the  generall  gender  beare  him, 
Who  dipping  all  his  faults  in  theyr  affe6lion, 
Worke  like  the  fpring  that  tumeth  wood  to  ftone, 
Conuert  his  Giues  to  graces,  fo  that  my  arrowes 
Too  flightly  tymbered  for  fo  loued  Arm'd, 
Would  haue  reuerted  to  my  lx)we  agaiine, 
But  not  where  I  haue  aym'd  them. 

Lacr.     And  fo  haue  I  a  noble  father  loft, 
A  fifter  driuen  into  defprat  termes, 
Whofe  worth,  if  prayfes  may  goe  backe  againe 
Stood  challenger  on  mount  of  all  the  age 
For  her  perfedlions,  hut  ni\'  reuenge  will  come. 

King.     Breake  not  your  fleepes  for  that,  you  muft  not  thinke 
That  we  are  made  of  ftufFe  fo  flat  and  dull. 
That  we  can  let  our  beard  be  fhooke  with  danger, 
And  thinke  it  paftime,  you  fhortly  fhal!  hearc  more, 
I  loued  your  father,  and  we  'loue  our  felfe, 
And  that  I  hope  will  teach  you  to  imagine. 

Enter  a  Meffcnger  with  Letters. 
Meffen.     Thefe  to  your  Maieftic,  this  to  the  Queene ; 
King.     From  Hamlet,  who  brought  them? 
Meff.     Saylers  my  Lord  they  fay,  I  faw  them  not, 


i82  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  Ur-Hamlet 

King,     %i)c  'J'cnil  1)pD  menu,  not  ^rimc  .^nmlct. 

Phantasmo.     ^  mean  "!|>rincc  A>ttmlct,  not  t()c  I)cuil. 

Ki>ig.  ficonljnrbU'^,  l)car!  "Jioui  l)ou  can  nitcnnc  DuUr  fntl]cr'^  bcntl)^ 
ftncc  tfjc  "^Nrtncc  Ijnci  rcturncb:  but  tjou  niuft  ^romifc  on  i)olir  oatf) 
not  to  rcncttl  it  to  nnl)  one. 

Phantasmo,  '^o\)ht  mc  not,  ?)olir  ^Jiojcftl).  Xl)at  Juljic^  ?)ol)r  9}Joi= 
cftlj  rcncnl^'  ffiall  dc  fc^Jt  a^^  ftlcnt  tt'3  if  f^jofcn  to  a  ftonc. 

King.  SSic  loin  fict  U))  n  fcncinfl=matcl)  bctluccn  Hou  nnb  Ijini.  ?)o1j 
fljall  fence  JuitI)  foiI§.  Xl)c  one  iufjo  ninfee^  tlje  firft  tfirec  \)it^^  \vui§  a 
9JettpoIitnn  fjorfc.  iPut  in  tlie  niibft  of  tf)c  fcnctnfl  let  l)0Dr  foil  txop, 
nnb  tnfe  D^  in^tenb  of  it  on  Dnbhmtcb  locnvon,  iiil)icf)  flinll  fie  ntobc 
cjactlD  life  tl)c  foil  nnb  Oc  rcnbi)  to  lionr  Iinnb.  Sf)if  ijou  nnoint  luitfj 
n  ftronfl  )3oifon:  nnb  n^?  foon  n§  ijoU  ffinll  (jnne  JuoUnbeb  Ijim  lie  luill 
bie.    ®o  luill  i)0D  luin  hotf)  tlje  ^ri^e  nnb  tfje  Sinn'^  fnnor. 

Leonhardvs.  ?)ol)r  *»inicftt)  niUft  ejrcufe  nte.  2f)e  ':|Nrincc  i§  a  Qooh 
fencer;   I|c  miflf)t  turn  ml)  olun  luen^on  nnninft  nte. 

King,  £eonf)nrbu§,  bon't  f)efitnte  to  pUa\c  tiour  Sling  nnb  renengf 
i)otir  fntfier.  2l§  i)0Dr  fatl)cr§  murberer  tlje  "^Nrince  bcfcrnc§  fuel)  n 
bcnt^.  2Be,  IjoJucner,  cnnnot  enforce  tf)e  Inlu  ngninft  l)im,  for  lji§  Inbi) 
ntotfjer  i§  n  Cueen,  anb  ntt)  fufijcct^'  (one  fjim  ntucf).  Dib  )ue  o^jcnll) 
nuenge  o0rfelue§,  tijere  niigf)t  enfilt)  6c  n  reOcHion.  Xo  fl)On  I)iw  fiotlj 
a§  ftcVfon  nnb  finfntnn  i§  onll)  nn  net  of  rigfttcoli^^  juftice;  for  fje  ia 
mDrbero0§  nnb  mnb,  nnb  m  mDft  for  tfje  future,  cuen  on  our  nccount, 
6e  nfrnib  of  fuel)  n  luicfeb  jnnn.  ^o  tfjen  Juljnt  Jue  befire,  nnb  relicuc 
t)oUr  .ting  of  I)i§  fenr§,  nnb  i)oUrfcIf  tnfc,  in  fccret,  n  rcnengc  for  ijour 
fntljer'a  murbcr. 

Leonhardvs.  ^t  \§  a  l)arb  mntter  nnb  one  )uf)icf)  ^  fcnrcelt)  life:  for 
fijoulb  tl)e  mntter  get  fnohin,  it  )DOUlb  certninlti  coft  me  ml)  life. 

King.  X)o  not  Ijefitnte.  ef)oUfb  tf)i§  fnil  »ue  f)nuc  tf)ounf)t  of  nn= 
ot^er  tricf.     2Bc  )uin  f)anc  nn  cn^tcrn  binmonb  ^)o)ubereb  fine,  nnb 


1604  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  183 

They  were  giuen  me  by  Claudia,  he  receiued  them 
Of  him  that  brought  them. 

King.     Laertes  you  shall  heare  them :  leaue  vs. 
High  and  mighty,  you  fhall  know  I  am  fet  naked  on  your  kingdom, 
to  morrow  fhall  I  begge  leaue  to  fee  your  kingly  eyes,  when  I  fhal 
firft  asking  you  pardon,  there- vnto  recount  the  occafion  of  my  fud- 
daine  returne. 

King.     What  fhould  this  meane,  are  all  the  reft  come  backe, 
Or  is  it  fome  abufe,  and  no  fuch  thing? 

Laer.     Know  you  the  hand? 

King.     Tis  Hamlets  carader.     Naked, 
And  m  a  poftfcript  heere  he  fayes  alone, 
Can  you  deuife  me? 

Laer.     I  am  loft  in  it  my  Lord  but  let  him  come, 
It  warmes  the  very  ficknes  in  my  hart 
That  I  Hue  and  tell  him  to  his  teeth 
Thus  didft  thou. 

Kiyig.     If  it  be   fo  Laertes, 
As  how  fhould  it  be  fo,  how  otherwife, 
Will  you  be  rul'd  by  me? 

Laer.     I  my  Lord,  fo  you  will  not  ore-rule  me  to  a  peace. 

King.     To  thine  owne  peace,  if  he  be  now  returned 
As  the  King  at  his  voyage,  and  that  he  meanes 
No  more  to  vndertake  it,  I  will  worke  him 
To  an  exployt.  now  ripe  in  my  deuife, 
Vnder  the  which  he  fhall  not  choofe  but  fall : 
And  for  his  death  no  wind  of  blame  fhall  breathe, 
But  euen  his  Mother  fhall  vncharge  the  pradice, 
And  call  it  accedent. 

Laer.     My  Lord  I  will  be  rul'd, 
The  rather  if  you  could  deuife  it  fo 
That  I  might  be  the  organ. 

King.     It    falls    right. 
You  haue  beene  talkt  of  fince  your  trauailc  much, 
And  that  in  Hamlets  hearing,  for  a  qualitie 
Wherein  they  fay  you   fliinr,  your   fuiiimc  of  parts 
DHd  not  together  pluckc  fuch  enuic  from  him 

18 


i84  The  Traglcall  Historic  of  Hamlet  Ur-Hamlet 


1604  The  Tragical!  Historic  of  Hamlet  185 

As  did  that  one,  and  that  in  my  regard 
Of  the  vnworthieft  fiedge. 

Laer.     What  part  is  that  my  Lord? 

King.     A  very  ribaud  in  the  cap  of  youth, 
Yet  needfull  to,  for  youth  no  leffe  becomes 
The  Hght  and  careleffe  liuery  that  it  weares 
Then  fetled  age.  his  fables,  and  his  weedes 
Importing  health  and  grauenes ;   two  months  fince 
Heere  was  a  gentleman  of  N ormandy . 
I  haue  feene  my  fdfe,  and  feru'd  againft  the  French, 
And  they  can  well  on  horfebacke,  but  this  gallant 
Had  witch-craft  in't,  he  grew  vnto  his  feate, 
And  to  fuch  wondrous  dooing  brought  his  horfe, 
As  had  he  beene  incorp'ft,  and  demy  natur'd 
With  the  braue  beaft,  fo  farre  he  topt  me  thought, 
That  I  in  forgerie  of  fhapes  and  tricks 
Come  fhort  of  what  he  did. 

Laer.     A  Norman  waft? 

King.     A  Norman. 

Laer.     Vppon  my  life  Lamord. 

King.     The  very  fame. 

Laer.     I  know  him  well,  he  is  the  brooch  indeed 
And  lem  of  all  the  Nation. 

King.     He  made  confefsion  of  you, 
And  gaue  you  fuch  a  mafterly  report 
For  art  and  exercife  in  your  defence, 
And  for  your  Rapier  moft  efpeciall, 
That  he  cride  out  t'would  be  a  fight  indeed 
If  one  could  match  you ;    the  Scrimures  of  their  nation 
He  fwore  had  neither  motion,  guard  nor  eye, 
If  you  oppofd  them  ;   fir  this  report  of  his 
Did  Hamlet  fo  enuenom  with  his  enuy, 
That  he  could  nothing  doe  but  wifh  and  beg 
Your  fodaine  comming  ore  to  play  with  you 
Now  out  of  this. 

Laer.     What  out  of  this  my  I^rd? 

King.     Laertes  was  ynw  father  deare  to  you? 


l86  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  TJr-Hamlet 


1604  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  187 

Or  are  you  like  the  painting  of  a  forrowe, 
A  face  without  a  hart  ? 

Laer.     Why  aske  you  this? 

King.     Not  that  I  thinke  you  did  not  loue  your  father, 
But  that  I  knowe,  loue  is  begunne  by  time, 
And  that  I  fee  in  paffages  of  proofe, 
Time  qualifies  the  fparke  and  fire  of  it. 
There  Hues  within  the  very  flame  of  loue 
A  kind  of  weeke  or  fnufe  that  will  abate  it, 
And  nothing  is  at  a  like  goodnes  ftill, 
For  goodnes  growing  to  a  plurifie, 
Dies  in  his  owne  too  much,  that  we  would  doe 
We  fhould  doe  when  we  would :  for  this  would  change, 
And  hath  abatements  and  delayes  as  many. 
As  there  are  tongues,  are  hands,  are  accedents, 
And  then  this  fhould  is  like  a  fpend  thrifts  figh. 
That  hurts  by  eaf ing ;  but  to  the  quick  of  th'vlcer, 
Hamlet  comes  back,  what  would  you  vndertake 
To  fhowe  your  felfe  indeede  your  fathers  fonne 
More  then  in  words? 

Laer.     To  cut  his  thraot  i'th  Church. 

King.     No  place  indeede  fhould  murther  fanduarife, 
Reuendge  fhould  haue  no  bounds :  but  good  Laertes 
Will  you  doe  this,  keepe  clofe  within  your  chamber, 
Hamlet  return'd,  fhall  knowe  you  are  come  home, 
Weele  put  on  thofe  fhall  praife  your  excellence, 
And  fet  a  double  varnifh  on  the  fame 
The  french  man  gaue  you,  bring  >^u  in  fine  together 
And  wager  ore  your  heads ;  he  being  remiffe, 
Moft  generous,  and  free  from  all  contriuing, 
Will  not  perufe  the  foyles,  fo  that  with  eafe. 
Or  with  a  little  fhuffling,  you  may  choofe 
A  fword  vnbatcd,  and  in  a  pace  of  pradlife 
Requite   him    for   your   Father. 

Laer.     1  will  doo't, 
And  for  purpofe,  He  annoynt  my  fword. 
I  bought  an  vndlion  of  a  Mountibanck 


i88  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  Ur-Hamlet 


toljfn  I|c  t«  ^cotcb  ^ircfcnt  \t  to  (jtnt  in  o  6ca!cr  tnijcb  tott^  hiinc  anb 
ftigar.    ®o  f^all  Ije  britt!  ff\S  bcatli  to  out  I|cattl)§. 

Leonhardus.  SBeU,  tJ|cn,  ?)oUr  ^ig^ncf§,  Unbcr  t^i§  fafcgUorb,  S'H  bo 
t^e  betb. 


Hamlet,  Unl^o^^^  prince!  ^oto  mDcl^  longer  f^olt  t^olj  fnoto  no 
<)eocc.  ^oto  long,  O  jDft  9?cmefis!  before  t)oU  ^onc  f^or^ieneb  tjoUr  juft 
ftoorb  of  nengeoncc  for  nti)  frotrtcibe  Uncle?  ^tt^er  ^one  S  come  ogain, 
))et  S  connot  obtoin  mi)  rencngc.  ^l^c  frotrtcibe  i§  fbrrolmbeb  bt|  fo 
wani)  <ieo^>Ie«  S3bt  ^  ftocor  ti|ot,  before  t^e  fun  ^o§  ogoin  mobc  ^i§ 
journey  front  coft  to  toeft,  ^  toill  hior!  nit)  rcncngc  on  ^int. 


1604  The  Tragical!  Historic  of  Hamlet  189 

So  mortall,  that  but  dippe  a  knife  in  it. 

Where  it  drawes  blood,  no  Cataplafme  of  rare, 

Colleded  from  all  fimples  that  haue  vertue 

Vnder  the  Moone,  can  fane  the  thing  from  death 

That  is  but  fcratcht  withall,  He  tutch  my  point 

With  this  contagion,  that  if  I  gall  him  f lightly,  it  may  be  death. 

King.     Lets  further  thinke  of  this. 
Wey  what  conuenience  both  of  time  and  meanes 
May  fit  vs  to  our  fhape  if  this  fhould  fayle, 
Ajnd  that  our  drift  looke  through  our  bad  performance, 
Twere  better  not  aftayd,  therefore  this  proied;, 
Should  haue  a  back  or  fecond  that  might  hold 
If  this  did  blaft  in  proofe ;    foft  let  me  fee, 
Wee'le  make  a  folemne  wager  on  your  cunnlings, 
I  hate,  when  in  your  motion  you  are  bote  and  dry. 
As  make  your  bouts  more  violent  to  that  end. 
And  that  he  calls  for  drinke,  He  haue  prefared  him 
A  Challice  for  the  nonce,  whereon  but  fipping, 
If  he  by  chaunce  efcape  your  venom'd  ftuck. 
Our  purpofe  may  hold  there;   but  ftay,  what  noyfe? 

Eater   Queene. 

Qtiee.     One  woe  doth  tread  vpon  anothers  beetle. 
So  faft  they  follow ;    your  Sifters  drownd  Laertes. 

Laer.     Drown'd,  o  where? 

Qiiee.     There  is  a  Willow  growes  afcaunt  the  Brooke 
That  fhowes  his  hory  leaues  in  the  glaffy  ftreame, 
Therewith  fantaftique  garlands  did  fhe  make 
Of  Crowflowers,  Nettles,  Daifies,  and  long  Purples 
That  liberall   Shepheards  giue  a  groffer  name. 
But  our  cull-cold  maydes  doe  dead  mens  fingers  call  them. 
There  on  the  pendant  boughes  her  cronet  weedes 


190 


The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  TJr-Hamlet 


1604  The  Tragical!  Historic  of  Hamlet  19 1 

Qambring  to  hang-,  an  enuious  fliuer  broke. 
When  downe  her  weedy  trophies  and  her  felfe 
Fell  in  the  weeping  Brooke,  her  clothes  fpred  wide. 
And  Marmaide  like  awhile  they  bore  her  vp. 
Which  time  fhe  chaunted  fnatches  of  old  laudes, 
As  one  incapable  of  her  owne  diftreffe, 
Or  like  a  creature  natiue  and  indewed 
Vnto  that  elament,  but  long  it  coulld  not  be 
Till  that  her  garments  heauy  with  theyr  drinke, 
Puld  the  poore  wretch  from  her  melodious  lay 
To  muddy  death. 

Laer.     Alas,  then  fhe  is  drownd. 

Quee.     Drownd,  drownd. 

Laer.     Too  much  of  water  haft  thou  poore  Ophelia, 
And  therefore  I  forbid  my  teares ;   but  yet 
It  is  our  tricke,  nature  her  cuftome  holds, 
Let  fhame  fay  what  it  will,  when  thefe  are  gone, 
The  woman  will  be  out.    Adiew  my  Lord, 
I  haue  a  fpeech  of  fire  that  faine  would  blafe, 
But  that  this  folly  drownes  it.  Exit. 

Kins:.     Let's  follow  Gertrard, 
How  much  I  had  to  doe  to  calme  his  rage. 
Now  feare  I  this  will  giue  it  ftart  againe. 
Therefore   lets   follow.  Exeunt. 

Enter  ttvo  Clownes. 

Clowne.  Is  fhee  to  be  buried  in  Chriftian  buriall,  when  fhe  wil- 
fully feekes  her  owne  faluation? 

Other.  I  tell  thee  fhe  is,  therefore  make  her  graue  ftraight,  the 
crowner  hath  fate  on  her,  and  finds  it  Chriftian  buriall. 

Clowne.  How  can  that  be,  vnleffe  fhe  drown'd  herfelfe  in  her 
own  defence. 

Other.     Why  tis  found  fo. 

Cloztme.  It  nnift  be  fo  offended,  it  cannot  be  els,  for  heere  lyes  the 
poyant,  if  I  drowne  my  felfe  wittingly,  it  argues  an  ad,  &  an  ad  hath 
three  branches,  it  is  to  ad,  to  doe,  to  performe,  or  all ;  fhe  drowned 
her  felfe  wittingly. 


ig2  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  Ur-Hamlet 


1604  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  193 

Qther.     Nay,  but  heare  you  good  man  deluer. 

Clowne.  Giue  mee  leaue,  here  lyes  the  water,  good,  here  ftands 
the  man,  good,  if  the  man  goe  to  this  water  &  drowne  himfelfe,  it  is 
will  he,  nill  he,  he  goes,  marke  you  that,  but  if  the  water  come  to 
him,  &  drowne  him,  he  drownes  not  himfelfe,  argall,  he  that  is  not 
guilty  of  his  owne  death,  fhortens  not  his  owne  life. 

Other.     But  is  this  law  ? 

Cloume.     I  marry  i'ft.     Crowners  queft  law. 

Other.  Wiill  you  ha  the  truth  an't,  if  this  had  not  beene  a  gentle- 
woman, fhe  fhouJd  haue  been  buried  out  a  chriftian  buriall. 

Clowne.  Why  there  thou  fayft,  and  the  more  pitty  that  great 
folke  fhould  haue  countnaunce  in  this  world  to  drowne  or  hang 
thefelues,  more  then  theyr  euen  Chriften :  Come  my  fpade,  there  is 
no  auncient  gentlemen  but  Gardners,  Ditchers,  and  Grauemakers, 
they  hold  vp  Adams  profefsion. 

Other.     Was  he  a  gentleman? 

Cloume.     A  was  the  firft  that  euer  bore  Armes. 
He  put  another  queftion  to  thee,  if  thou  anfwereft  me  not  to  the 
purpofe,  confeffe  thy  felfe. 

Other.     Goe  to. 

Clow.  What  is  he  that  builds  ftronger  then  eyther  the  Mafon, 
the  Shipwright,  or  the  Carpenter. 

Other.     The  gallowes  maker,  for  that  out-liues  a  thoufand  tenants. 

Clowne.  I  like  thy  wit  well  in  good  fayth,  the  gallowes  dooes  well, 
but  howe  dooes  it  well  ?  It  dooes  well  to  thofe  that  do  ill,  nowe  thou 
dooft  ill  to  fay  the  gallowes  is  built  ftronger  then  the  Church,  argall, 
the  gallowes  may  doo  well  to  thee.    Too't  againe,  come. 


194  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  TJr-Hamlet 


1604  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  195 

OtJier.     Who  buildes  ftronger  then  a  Mafon,  a  Shipwright,  or  a 
Carpenter. 

Clowne.     I  tell  me  that  and  vnyoke. 

Other.     Marry  now  I  can  tell. 

Clozi'ne.     Too't. 

Other.     Maffe  I  cannot  tell. 

Cloii.'.     Cudg-ell  thy  braines  no  more  about  it,  for  your  dull  affe  wil 
not  mend  his  pace  with  beating,  and  when  you  are  askt  this  queftion 
next,  fay  a  graue-maker,  the  houfes  hee  makes  lafts  till  Doomefday. 
Gee  get  thee  in,  and  fetch  mee  a  foope  of  liquer. 
In  youth  when  I  did  loue  did  loue,  Song. 

Me  thought  it  was  very  fweet 
To  contract  o  the  time  for  a  my  behoue, 

O  me  thought  there  a  was  nothing  a  meet. 


Enter  Hamlet  and  Horatio. 

Ham.  Has  this  fcllowe  no  feeling  of  his  bufines  ?  a  fings  in  graue- 
making 

Hora.     Cuftome  hath  made  it  in  him  a  propertie  of  eafines. 

Ham.     Tis  een  fo,  the  hand  of  little  imploiment  hath  the  dintier 

Clou\     But  age  with  his  ftealing  fteppes  (fence         Song. 

hath  clawed  me  in  his  clutch, 

And  hath  fhipped  me  into  the  land, 
as  if  I  had  neuer  been  fuch. 

Ham.  That  skull  had  a  tongue  in  it,  and  could  fing  once,  how  the 
knaue  ioweles  it  to  the  ground,  as  if  twere  Caines  iawlx>ne,  that  did 
the  firft  murder,  this  might  be  the  pate  of  a  pollitician,  which  this  affe 
now  ore-reaches ;  one  that  would  circumuent  God,  might  it  not  ? 

Hora.     It  might  my  hard.  ' 

Ham.  Or  of  a  Courtier,  which  could  fay  good  morrow  fweet  lord, 
how  dooft  thout  fweet  lord  ?  This  might  be  my  I^rd  fuch  a  one,  that 
praifcd  my  Ion!  fucli  a  ones  horfc  when  a  went  to  beg  it,  might  it  not? 


1^5  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  Ur-Hamlet 


1604  The  Tragicall  Historie  of  Hamlet  197 

Hor.     I  my  Lord. 

Ham.  Why  een  fo,  &  now  my  Lady  wormes  Choples,  &  knockt 
about  the  maffene  with  a  Sextons  fpade ;  heeres  fine  reuokition  and 
we  had  the  tricke  to  fee't,  did  thefe  bones  coft  no  more  the  breed- 
ing, but  to  play  at  loggits  with  them :  mine  ake  to  thinke  on't. 

Clow.     A  pickax  and  a  fpade  a  fpade,  Song. 

for  and  a  fhrowding  fheet 
O  a  pit  of  Clay  for  to  be  made 
for  fuch  a  giieft  is  meet. 

Ham.  There's  another,  why  may  not  that  be  the  skull  of  a  Law- 
yer, where  be  his  quiddities  now,  his  quilities,  his  cafes,  his  tenures, 
and  his  tricks  ?  why  dooes  he  fuffer  this  madde  knaue  now  to  knocke 
him  about  the  fconce  with  a  durtie  fhouell,  and  will  not  tell  him  of  his 
a(5lion  of  battery,  hum,  this  fellowe  might  be  in's  time  a  great  buyer 
of  Land,  with  his  Statuts.  his  recognifances,  his  fines,  his  double 
vouchers,  his  recoueries,  to  haue  his  fine  pate  full  of  fine  durt,  will 
vouchers  vouch  him  no  more  of  his  purchafes  &  doubles  then  the 
length  and  breadth  of  a  payre  of  Indentures  ?  The  very  conueyances 
of  his  Lands  will  fcarcely  lye  in  this  box,  &  muft  th'inheritor  himfelfe 
haue  no  more,  ha. 

Hor  a.  Not  a  iot  more  my  Lord. 

Ham.     Is  not  Parchment  made  of  fheepe-skinnes  ? 

Hora.     I  my  Lord,  and  of  Calues-skinnes  to 

Ham.  They  are  Sheepe  and  Calues  which  feeke  out  affurance  in 
that,  I  wil  fpeak  to  this  fellow.    Whofe  graue's  this  firra? 

Clow.     Mine  fir,  or  a  pit  of  clay  for  to  be  made. 

Ham.     I  thinke  it  be  thine  indeede,  for  thou  lyeft  in't. 

Clow.  You  lie  out  ont  fir,  and  therefore  tis  not  yours  !  for  my  part 
I  doe  not  lie  in't,  yet  it  is  mine. 

Ham.  Thou  dooft  lie  in't  to  be  in't  &  fay  it  is  thine,  tis  for  the 
dead,  not  for  the  quicke,  therefore  thou  lyeft. 

Clow.     Tis  a  quicke  lye  fir,  twill  away  againe  from  me  to  you. 

Ham.     What  man  dooft  thou  digge  it  for? 

Clow.     For  no  man   fir 

Ham.     What  woman  then  ? 

Clow.     For  none  neither 

Ham.     Who  is  to  be  l)uri(d   in't? 


jo8  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  Ur-Hamlet 


1604  The  Tragicall  Historie  of  Hamlet  199 

Clow.     One  that  was  a  woman  fir,  but  reft  her  foule  fhee's  dead. 

Ham.  How  abfohite  the  knaue  is,  we  miift  fpeake  by  the  card,  or 
equiuocation  will  vndoo  vs.  By  the  Lord  Horatio,  this  three  yeeres 
I  haue  tooke  note  of  it.  the  age  is  growne  fo  picked,  that  the  toe 
of  the  pefant  corns  fo  neere  the  heele  of  the  Courtier  he  galls  his 
kybe.     How  long  haft  thou  been  Graue-maker  ? 

Cloiv.  Of  the  dayes  i"th  yere  I  came  too't  that  day  that  our  laft 
king  Hamlet  ouercame  Fortenhrajje. 

Ham.     How  long  is  that  fince? 

Clow.  Cannot  you  tell  that?  euery  foole  can  tell  that,  it  was  that 
very  dry  that  young  Hamlet  was  borne :  hee  that  is  mad  and  fent  into 
England. 

Ham.     I  marry  why  was  he  fent  into  Engla^id? 

Clow.  Why  becaufe  a  was  mad :  a  fhall  recouer  his  wits  there,  or 
if  a  doo  not,  tis  no  great  matter  there. 

Ham.     Why? 

Clow.     Twill  not  be  feene  in  him  there,  there  the  men  are  as  mad 

Ham^.     How  came  he  mad?  (as  hee. 

Clow.     Very  ftrangely  they  fay. 

Ham.     How  ftrangely? 

Clow.     Fayth  eene  with  loofing  his  wits. 

Ham.     Vpon  what  ground? 

Clow.  Why  heere  in  Denmarke :  I  haue  been  Sexton  heere  man 
and  boy  thirty  yeeres. 


Ham.     How  long  will  a  man  lie  i'th  earth  ere  he  rot? 

Clow.  Fayth  if  a  be  not  rotten  before  a  die,  as  we  haue  many  poc- 
kie  corfes,  that  will  fcarce  hold  the  laying  in,  a  will  laft  you  fom  eyght 
yeere,  or  nine  yeere.     A  Tanner  will  laft  you  nine  yeere. 

Ham.     Why  he  more  than  another? 

Clow.  Why  fir,  his  hide  is  fo  tand  with  his  trade,  that  a  will  keepe 
out  water  a  great  while ;  &  your  water  is  a  fore  decayer  of  your  whor- 
fon  dead  body,  heer's  a  fcull  now  hath  lyen  you  i'th  earth  23.  yeeres. 

Ham.     Whofewasit? 

Clozv.     A  whorfon  mad  fellowes  it  was,  whofc  do  you  think  it  was? 

Ham.     Nay  I  know  not. 

14 


200  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  Ur-Hamlet 


1604  The  Tragicall  Historie  of  Hamlet  201 

Clo-w.  A  peftilence  on  him  for  a  madde  rogue,  a  pourd  a  flagon  of 
Renifh  on  my  head  once ;  this  fame  skull  fir,  was  fir  Voricks  skull,  the 
Kings   lefter. 

Ham.     This  ? 

Clow.     Een  that. 

Ham.  Alas  poore  Yoricke,  I  knew  him  Horatio,  a  fellow  of  infinite 
ieft,  of  moft  excellent  fancie,  hee  hath  bore  me  on  his  backe  a  thou- 
land  times,  and  nof  how  abhorred  in  my  imagination  it  is :  my  gorge 
rifes  at  it.  Heere  hung  thofe  lyppes  that  I  haue  kift  I  know  not  how 
oft,  where  be  your  gibes  now  ?  your  gamboles,  your  fongs,  your  fla- 
fhes  of  merriment,  that  were  wont  to  fet  the  table  on  a  roare,  not  one 
now  to  mocke  your  owne  grinning,  quite  chopfalne.  Now  get  you 
to  my  Ladies  table,  &  tell  her,  let  her  paint  an  inch  thicke,  to  this  fa- 
uour  fhe  muft  come,  make  her  laugh  at  that. 
Prethee  Horatio  tell  me  one  thing. 

Hora.     What's  that  my  Lord  ? 

Ham.     Dooft  thou  thinke  Alexander  lookt  a  this  fafhion  i'th  earth  ? 

Hora.     Een  fo. 

Ham.     And  fmelt  fo  pah. 

Hora.     Een  fo  my  Lord. 

Ham.  To  what  bafe  vfes  wee  may  returne  Horatio?  Why  may 
not  imagination  trace  the  noble  duft  of  Alexander,  till  a  find  it  ftop- 
ping  a  bunghole? 

Hor.     Twere  to  confider  too  curioufly  to  confider  fo. 

Ham.     No  faith,  not  a  iot,  but  to  follow  him  thether  with  modefty 
enough,  and  likelyhood  to  leade  it.     Alexander  dyed,  Alexander  was 
buried,  Alexander  returneth  to  duft,  the  duft  is  earth,  of  earth  wee 
make  Lome,  &  why  of  that  Lome  whereto  he  was  conuerted,  might 
they  not  ftoppe  a  Beare-barrell  ? 
Imperious  C(efar  dead,  and  turn'd  to  Clay, 
Might  ftoppe  a  hole,  to  keepe  the  wind  away. 
O  that  that  earth  which  kept  the  world  in  awe, 
Should  patch  a  wall  t'cxpell  the  waters  flaw. 

Rut  foft,  but  foft  awhile,  here  comes  the  King,  Enter,  K.  Q. 

The  Qucenc,  the  Courtiers,  who  is  this  they  follow  ?  Laertes  and 

And  with  fuch  maimed  rites  ?     this  doth  betoken,  th^  corfe. 

The  corfe  they  follow,  did  with  defprat  hand 


202  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  TJr-Hamlet 


1604  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  203 

Foredoo  it  owne  life,  twas  of  fortie  eftate, 
Couch  we  a  while  and  marke. 

Laer.     What  Ceremonie  els  ? 

Ham.     That  is  Laertes  a  very  noble  youth,  marke. 

La^.     What  Ceremonie  els? 

Dad.     Her  obfequies  haue  been  as  farre  inlarg'd 
As  we  haue  warrantie,  her  death  was  doubtfuU, 
And  but  that  great  commaund  ore-fwayes  the  order, 
She  fhould  in  ground   vnfanctified  been  lodg'd 
Till  the  laft  trumpet :  for  charitable  prayers, 
Flints  and  peebles  fhould  be  throwne  on  her : 
Yet  heere  fhe  is  allow'd  her  virgin  Crants, 
Her  mayden  ftrewments,  and  the  bringing  home 
Of  bell  and  buriall. 

Laer.     Muft  there  no  more  be  doone? 

Doci.     No  more  be  doone. 
We  fhould  prophane  the  feruice  of  the  dead, 
To  fing  a  Requiem  and  fuch  reft  to  her 
As  to  peace-parted  foules. 

Laer.     Lay  her  i'th  earth. 
And  from  her  faire  and  vupoUuted  flefh. 
May  Violets  fpring :  I  tell  thee  churlifh  Prieft, 
A  miniftring  Angell  fhall  my  fifter  be 
When  thou  lyeft  howling. 

Ham.     What,  the  faire  Ophelia. 

Quee.     Sweets  to  the  fweet,  farewell, 
I  hop't  thou  fhould'ft  haue  been  my  Hamlets  wife, 
I  though  thy  bride-bed  to  haue  deckt  fweet  maide, 
And  not  haue  ftrew'd  thy  graue. 

Laer.     O  treble  woe 
Fall  tenne  times  double  on  that  curfed  head, 
Whofe  wicked  decdc  thy  moft  ingenious  fence 
Dqiriued  thee  of,  hold  off  the  earth  a  while. 
Till  I  haue  caught  her  once  more  in  mine  armes; 
Now  pile  your  duft  v|)on  the  c|uicke  and  dead, 
Till  of  this  flat  a  mountainc  you  haue  made 
To'retop  old  I'elion,  or  the  skyefh  head 


204  The   Tragicall  Jlisforic  of  Hamlet  TJr-Hamlet 


1604  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  205 

Of  blew  Olympus. 

Ham.     What  is  he  whofe  grief e 
Beares  fuch  an  emphafis.  whofe  phrafe  of  forrow 
Coniures  the  wandring  ftarres,  and  makes  them  ftand 
Like  wonder  wounded  hearers  :  this  is  I 
Hamlet  the  Dane. 

Laer.     The  deuill  take  thy  foule, 

Ham.     Thou  pray'ft  not  well,  I  prethee  take  thy  fingers 
For  though  I  am  not  fpleenatiue  rafh,  from  my  throat, 

Yet  haue  I  in  me  fomething  dangerous, 
Which  let  thy  wifedome  feare ;  hold  off  thy  hand, 
King.     Pluck  them  a  funder. 
Qiice.     Hamlet,    Hamkt. 
All.     Gentlemen. 
Hora.     Good  my  Lord  be  quiet. 
Ham-     Why,  I  will  fight  with  him  vpon  this  theame 
Vntill  my  eye-lids  will  no  longer  wagge. 
Quee.     O  my  fonne.  what  theame? 
Ham-.     I  loued  Ophelia,  forty  thoufand  brothers 
Could  not  with  all  theyr  quantitie  of  loue 
Make  vp  my  fumme.     What  wilt  thou  doo  for  her. 
Kiyig.     O  he  is  mad  Laertes. 
Quee.     For  loue  of  God  forbeare  him. 
Ham.     S'wounds  fhew  me  what  th'owt  doe : 
Woo't  weepe,  woo't  fight,  woo't  faft,  woo't  teare  thy  felfe, 
Woo't  drinke  vp  Efill,  eate  a  Crocadile  ? 
Ille  doo't,  dooft  come  heere  to  whine  ? 
To  out-face  me  with  leaping  in  her  graue. 
Be  buried  quicke  with  her,  and  fo  will  L 
And  if  thou  prate  of  mountaines,  let  them  throw 
Millions  of  Acres  on  vs.  till  our  ground 
Sindging  his  pate  againft  the  burning  Zone 
Make  Of  fa  like  a  wart,  nay  and  thou'lt  mouthe, 
He  rant  as  well  as  thou. 

Quee.     This  is  meere  madneffc. 
And  this  a  while  the  fit  will  worke  on  him. 
Anon  as  jxitient  as  the  female  Done 


2o6  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  Ur-Hamlet 


Horatio, 

Horatio,  3P?l)  noBIe  prince,  ^  om  glob  io  fee  ijoD  fiocf  in  goob 
^ealt^.    ^rolj,  ^olocucr,  tell  «te  lu^i)  i)oD  ^oue  rcturneb  fo  §oon. 

Hamlet,  91^,  .^oratio,  ijol)  l)auc  come  near  ncucr  feeing  nie  ogain 
oltne;  for  mtj  life  ^021  Been  nt  ftnfc;  onllj  i\)z  ^Umigljn]  l)a^  f^iectalll) 
|)rotecteb  me. 

Horatio,     SSl)ot  fai)^  ?)o«r  ^igf)nef§?    %d\  mc  about  it. 

Hamlet,  %\)o\i  fnoltJcft  t^at  tfjic  ^tng  Ijab  gincn  me  tluo  fellom^  a§ 
ottenbant^  onb  com^)onion§.  9Jom  it  fo  Ija^j^jencb  tfjat  for  tJuo  \ia.\)^ 
toe  I)ab  contrart)  Juinb§.  So  me  l)ab  to  oncljor  on  an  iflanb  neor  Soner, 
^  Juent  mit^  ml)  i\m  com^)onion§  from  tlje  ffji^  to  6rcotf)c  t^c  frcff)  nir. 
Sljcn  came  t^e  cnrfcb  nillainsi  anb  moulb  fjouc  fjab  mt)  life,  anb  fatb 
t^ai  tl)e  ^ing  f)ab  fjireb  tl)em  io  fill  me.  3  ^eggeb  fiarb  for  mt)  life, 
onb  ^romifeb  tl)cm  a  f)onbfome  reiuorb,  onb  tljat,  if  tfjeij  re^jorteb  mc 
to  t^c  Sling  osi  beob,  ^  luoDlb  nencr  go  near  tfje  court  agoin.  33ut  t^ere 
too§  no  mcrcl)  in  tl)cm.  5lt  laft,  t()c  (vJob^^  ))Ut  a  tfjoUgfit  into  ml)  f)eob: 
onb  S  6eggcb  t()em  tl)ot,  before  ml)  bcatf),  ^s  mig()t  mofc  a  ))ral)cr,  nnb 
t^ot  mf)en  ^  crieb  ,,JVire''  t^et)  luoulb  fire  from  o^j^iofite  fibe§  at  me. 
S[§  S  gone  tlje  morb,  3  fcH  on  tf)c  grounb,  onb  tf)cl)  f{)ot  one  onotljer. 
%\)\i§  ^  efco^eb  luit^  ml)  life.  SUJi)  arriua(,  bulueuer,  luill  6e  no  goob 
nehj§  to  i\)t  Sling. 

Horatio.    O!  Un^eorb=of  trcocljerl)! 


1604  The  Tragicall  Historie  of  Hamlet  207 

When  that  her  golden  cuplets  are  difclofed 
His  filence  will  fit  drooping. 

Ham.     Heare  you  fir, 
What  is  the  reafon  that  you  vfe  me  thus  ? 
I  lou'd  you  euer,  but  it  is  no  matter. 
Let  Hercules  himfelfe  doe  what  he  may 
The  Cat  will  mew,  and  Dogge  will  haue  his  day.      Exit  Hamlet 

King.     I  pray  thee  good  Horatio  waite  vpon  him       and  Horatio 
Strengthen  your  patience  in  our  laft  nights  fpeech, 
Week  put  the  matter  to  the  prefent  pufh  : 
Good  Gertrard  fet  fome  watch  ouer  your  fonne, 
This  graue  fhall  haue  a  lining  monument, 
An  houre  of  quiet  thirtie  fhall  we  fee 
Tell  then  in  patience  our  proceeding  be.  Exeunt. 

Enter  Hamlet  and  Horatio. 

Ham.     So  much  for  this  fir,  now  fhall  you  fee  the  other. 
You  doe  remember  all  the  circmnftance, 

Hora.     Remember  it  my  Lord. 

Ham.     Sir  in  my  hart  there  was  a  kind  of  fighting 
That  would  not  let  me  fleepe,  my  thought  I  lay 
Worfe  then  the  mutines  in  the  bilbo,  rafhly. 
And  prayfd  be  rafhnes  for  it :  let  vs  knowe, 
Our  indifcretion  fometime  femes  vs  well 
When  our  deepe  plots  doe  pall,  &  that  fhould  Icarne  vs 
Ther's  a  diuinity  that  fhapes  our  ends. 
Rough  hew  them  how  we  will. 

Hora.     That  is  moft  certaine. 

Ham.     Vp  from  my  Cabin, 
My  fea-gowne  fcarft  about  me  in  the  darke 
Gropt  I  to  find  out  them,  had  my  defire. 
Fingard  their  packet,  and  in  fine  with-drew 
To  mine  owne  roome  againe,  making  fo  l)old 
My  feares  forgetting  manners  to  vnfold 
Their  graund  commifsion  ;  where  I  fouiul  Horatio 
A  royall  knaucry,  an  exaA  command 
Larded  with  many  fcuerall  forts  of  reafons. 


2o8  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  Ur-Hamlet 


1604  The  Tragicall  Historie  of  Hamlet  209 

Importing  Denmarkes  health,  and  Englands  to, 
With  hoe  fuch  bugges  and  goblines  in  my  life, 
That  on  the  fuperuife  no  leafure  bated, 
No  not  to  Itay  the  grinding  of  the  Axe, 
My  head  fhould  be  ftrooke  off. 

Hora.     I'ft  pofsible? 

Ham.     Heeres  the  commifsion,  read  it  at  more  leafure, 
But  wilt  thou  heare  now  how  I  did  proceed. 

Hora.     I  befeech  you. 

Ham.     Being  thus  benetted  round  with  villaines, 
Or  I  could  make  a  prologue  to  my  braines. 
They  had  begunne  the  play,  I  fat  me  downe, 
Deuifd  a  new  commifsion,  wrote  it  faire, 
I  once  did  hold  it  as  our  ftatifts  doe, 
A  bafeneffe  to  write  faire,  and  labourd  much 
How  to  forget  that  learning,  but  fir  now 
It  did  me  yemans  feruice,  wilt  thou  know 
Th'effed  of  what  I  wrote  ? 

Hora.     I  good  my  Lord. 

Hcmv.     An  earneft  coniuration  from  the  King, 
As  England  was  his  faithfull  tributary 
As  loue  between  them  like  the  palme  might  flourifh. 
As  peace  fhould  ftill  her  wheaten  garland  weare 
And  ftand  a  Comma  tweenc  their  ameties. 
And  many  fuch  like,  as  fir  of  great  charge. 
That  on  the  view,  and  knowing  of  thefe  contents. 
Without  debatemcnt  further  more  or  leffe. 
He  fhould  thofe  bearers  put  to  fuddaine  death. 
Not  fhriuing  time  alow'd. 

Hora.     How  was  this  feald? 

Hatii.     Why  euen  in  that  was  heauen  ordinant, 
I  had  my  fathers  fignet  in  my  purfe 
Which  was  the  modill  of  that  Danifh  feale. 
Folded  the  writ  vp  in  the  forme  of  th'other. 
Subscribe  it,  gau't  th'imprcfsion.  plac'd  it  fafety. 
The  changling  neuer  knownc :  now  the  next  day 
Was  our  Sea  fight,  and  what  to  this  was  fequent 


2IO  The  TragicaU  Historic  of  Hamlet  ITr-Hamlet 


King,    ^re^jare,  £eon^arbl)0.    prince  ^omlct  toUI  foon  6c  ^crc» 

Leonhardvs,  ?)ol)r  aJiojeftl),  ^  aw  olrcabt)  ^rc^iareb,  anb  i^  h»ill,  ot 
Icoft,  bo  mi)  6cft. 

i<:»t^»    Soof  toetl  to  it!    ^cre  comc§  tijc  prince  in  goob  time. 

Hamlet,  91^,  ^oratio,  t^i§  fool  t^  tnfinitehi  bearer  to  t^e  Sing  t^an 
S  cm. 

Phantasmo,  SSelcontc  ^ontc,  ^;|Srince  |>omIet!  tnoiucft  tljon  t^c 
nehi§?  Slje  Sing  l)a§  laib  o  iucger  on  i)ol)  anb  tije  i)oDng  ficon^orbug. 
?)oD  arc  io  fig()t  toitlj  foit§;  anb  ^c  Uj^o  nta!c§  t^e  firft  t^ree  ^it§  i§  to 
hjin  a  \\ii)\it  9Jea)JoIitan  ^orfe. 

Hamlet,     9lrc  1)0 U  flirc  of  t^i§? 

Phantasmo,     ^t  i§  certainii)  a§  ^  fai). 

Hamlet,  ^oratio,  h)f)ot  can  t^i§  mean?  ^  anb  Seonl^orbD^  io  fig^t 
one  anotI)cr?  ^  fanci)  t^et)  I)aue  tolb  t^ia  fool  fomct^ing  monbcrfDt, 
for  one  can  mafe  f)im  Bclicuc  lu^at  one  will.  &oot  noWi,  Signora 
^^antafmo,  it  i§  terribll)  colb. 

Phantasmo,     9(l)C,  it  i§  tcrriBIi)  colb.  [Shiners,  with  chattering  teeth, 

Hamlet,     Slnb  nolo  it  i§  not  fo  colb. 

Phantasmo,     5li)c,  ai)e,  it  i§  juft  tl)e  ^a^jpl)  mebiUm. 

Hamlet,     5Bnt  nolo  it  i§  nerl)  ^ot.  [Wipes  his  face, 

Phantasmo,     O,  mljat  a  terrifife  ^cat!    [Wipes  azvay  the  perspiration, 

Hamlet,     5lnb  noW  it  i§  neitl)er  ^ot  nor  colb. 

Phantasmo,     ?)e§!  it  i§  noJo  jDft  temperate. 

Hamlet,  ?)oD  fee,  |>ortttio,  one  con  jlsft  mafe  ^im  beliene  Ju^at 
one  loin.  ^I)antnfmo,  go  to  tf)e  Sing  anb  fol)  tijot  ^  mitt  foon  loait  on 
:^itlt.  [Exit  Phantasmo, 

Hamlet,     Gome,  nolo,  ^oratio,  ^  \mil  go  at  once  anb  ^rcfcnt  mDfctf 


1604  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  211 

Thou  knoweft  already. 

Hora.     So  Guyldenfterne  and  Rojencraiis  goe  too't. 

Ham.     They  are  not  neere  my  confcience,  their  defeat 
Dooes  by  their  owne  infinnuation  growe, 
Tis  dangerous  when  the  bafer  nature  comes 
Eetweene  the  paffe  and  fell  incenced  points 
Of  mighty  oppofits. 

Hora.     Why  what  a  King  is  this ! 

Ham.     Dooes  it  not  thinke,  thee  ftand  me  now  vppon? 
He  that  hath  kild  my  King,  and  whor'd  my  mother, 
Pop't  in  betweene  th'  eledlion  and  my  hopes, 
Throwne  out  his  Angle  for  my  proper  life. 
And  with  fuch  cufnage.  i'ft  not  perfeA  confcience? 

Enter  a  Courtier. 

Cour.     Your  Lordfhip  is  right  welcome  backe  to  Denmarke. 

Ham.     I  humble  thanke  you  fir. 
Dooft  know  this  water  fly? 

Hora.     No  my  good  Lord. 

Ham.  Thy  ftate  is  the  more  gracious,  for  tis  a  vice  to  know  him. 
He  hath  much  land  and  fertill :  let  a  beaft  be  Lord  of  beafts,  and  his 
crib  fhall  ftand  at  the  Kings  meffe,  tis  a  chough,  but  as  I  fay,  fpaci- 
ous  in  the  poffefsion  of  durt. 

Cour.  Sweete  Lord,  if  your  Lordfhippe  were  at  leafure,  I  fhould 
impart  a  tiling  to  you  from  his  Maieftie. 

Haul.  1  will  reccaue  it  fir  with  all  dilligence  of  fpirit,  your  bonnet 
to  his  right  vfc.  tis  for  the  head. 

Cour.     I  thanke  your  Lordfhip,  it  is  very  hot. 

Ham.     No  belieuc  me,  tis  very  cold,  the  wind  is  Northerly. 

Cour.     It  is  indefferent  cold  my  Lord  indeed. 

Ham.  lint  vol  mc  thinkcs  it  is  vcr)'  fully  and  hot,  or  my  complec- 
tion. 

Cour.  Exceedingly  my  Lord,  it  is  very  fouitery,  as  t'were  I  can- 
not tell  how  :  my  Lord  his  Maieftie  bad  me  fignifie  to  you,  that  a  has 
layed  a  great  wager  on  \f)ur  head,  fir  this  is  the  matter. 

Ham.     1  befecch  you  rcnuinljt'r. 

Cour.     Nay  good  my  Lord  U>r  my  cafe  in  good  faith,  fir  here  is 


212  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  Ur-Hamlet 

io  m  Jftinn.  S^ft  Jutiat?  m)at  mcniu3  tftt^?  SKii  nofc  Olccb^  onb 
nm  Jul)oIc  bobi)  (tutitcr-^.  [Faints, 

Horatio.  D  uobic  'iliSrincc!  .s>aitcn§!  luljnt  mcatt§  t^t^?  iBc  t)obr= 
fcif  ofliiin,  ml)  fiorb.    SflMint  ail-:*  \]o\),  m\)  iJorb? 

Hamlet.  ^  fnoJu  not,  .^^oratio.  i!Sf)cn  t()C  tl]0\}(\¥  ftrlic!  mc  of 
rcturntun  to  tljc  (^ourt,  a  fubbcn  fnintncfs  came  oUcr  mc.  !fijl)at  ti)i§ 
mcniiii  tl)c  QJob^i  onh)  tnom. 

Horatio.    ^Mr  A>cnjtcn  nmttt  tf)nt  tf)t§  be  no  cut(  omen. 

Hamlet.  35e  it  mljnt  it  mat),  S'll  to  tfje  (SoDrt,  ciieti  fl)ouIb  it  coft 
me  ml)  life.  [£^#. 


1604  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  213 

newly  com  to  Court  Laertes,  belieue  me  an  abfolute  gentlemen,  ful  of 
moft  excellent  differences,  of  very  foft  fociety,  and  great  fhowing:  in- 
deede  to  fpeake  fellingly  of  him,  hee  is  the  card  or  kalender  of  gen- 
try: for  you  fhall  find  in  him  the  continent  of  what  part  a  Gentle- 
man would  fee. 

Ham.  Sir,  his  definement  fuffers  no  perdition  in  you,  though  I 
know  to  deuide  him  inuentorially,  would  dofie  th'  arithmaticke  of 
memory,  and  yet  but  yaw  neither  in  refpect  of  his  quick  faile,  but  in 
the  veritie  of  extolment,  I  take  him  to  be  a  foule  of  great  article,  & 
his  infufion  of  fuch  dearth  and  rareneffe,  as  to  make  true  dixion  of 
him,  his  femblable  is  his  mirrour,  &  who  els  would  trace  him,  his 
vmbrage,  nothing  more. 

Cour.     Your  Lordfhip  fpeakes  moft  infallibly  of  him. 

Ham.  The  concernancy  fir,  why  doe  we  wrap  the  gentleman  in 
our  more  rawer  breath? 

Cour.     Sir. 

Hora.  I  ft  not  pofsible  to  vnderftand  in  another  tongue,  you  will 
too't  fir  really. 

Ham.     \\'hat  imports  the  nom.ination  of  this  gentleman. 

Cour.     Of  Laertes. 

Hora.     His  purfe  is  empty  already,  all's  golden  words  are  fpent. 

Ham.     Of  him  fir. 

Cour.     I  know  you  are  not  ignorant. 

Ham.  I  would  you  did  fir,  yet  in  faith  if  you  did,  it  would  not 
much  approoue  me,  well  fir. 

Cour.     You  are  not  ignorant  of  what  excellence  Laertes  is. 

Ham.  I  dare  not  confeffc  that,  leaft  I  fhould  compare  with  him 
in  excellence,  but  to  know  a  man  wel,  were  to  knowe  himfelfe. 

Co}{r.  1  meane  fir  for  this  weapon,  but  in  the  imputation  laide  on 
him,  by  them  in  his  meed,  bee's  vnfellowed. 

Ham.     What's  his  weapon? 

Cour.     ]<aj)icr  and  Dagger. 

Ham.     That's  two  of  his  wcaix^ns,  but  well. 

Cour.  The  King  fir  hath  wagcrd  with  him  fix  Rarbary  horfes, 
againft  the  which  hee  has  impaund  as  I  take  it  fix  I'^rnuh  Rapiers 
and  I'oynards,  with  tli(  ir  afsigncs,  as  girdle,  hanger  and  Id.     Three 


214  ^^^  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  TJr-Hamlet 


1604  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  215 

of  the  carriages  in  faith,  are  very  deare  to  fancy,  very  reponfiue  to 
the  hilts,  moft  deUcate  carriages,  and  of  very  hberall  conceit. 

Ham.     What  call  you  the  carriages  ? 

Hora.  I  knew  you  niuft  be  edified  by  the  margent  ere  you  had 
done. 

Conr.     The  carriage  fir  are  the  hangers. 

Ham.  The  phrafe  would  bee  more  lerman  to  the  matter  if  wee 
could  carry  a  cannon  by  our  fides,  I  would  it  be  hangers  till  then, 
but  on,  fix  Barbary  horfes  againft  fix  French  fwords  their  afsignes, 
and  three  Hberall  conceited  carriages,  that's  the  French  bet  againft 
the  Danifh,  why  is  this  all  you  call  it  ? 

Cour.  The  King  fir,  hath  layd  fir,  that  in  a  dozen  paffes  be- 
tweene  your  felfe  and  him,  hee  fhall  not  exceede  you  three  hits,  hee 
hath  layd  on  twelue  for  nine,  and  it  would  come  to  immediate  triall,  if 
your  Lx)rdfhippe  would  vouchfafe  the  anfwer. 

Ham.     How  if  I  anfwer  no? 

Cour.     I  meane  my  Lord  the  oppofition  of  your  perfon  in  triall. 

Ham.  Sir  I  will  walke  heere  in  the  hall,  if  it  pleafe  his  Maieftie,  it 
is  the  breathing  time  of  day  with  me,  let  the  foiles  be  brought,  the 
Gentleman  willing,  and  the  King  hold  his  purpofe ;  I  will  winne  for 
him  and  I  can,  if  not.  I  will  gaine  nothing  but  my  fhame,  and  the 
odde  hits. 

Cour.     Shall  1  deliuer  you  fo? 

Ham.     To  this  effedl  fir,  after  what  florifh  your  nature  will. 

Cour.     I  commend  my  duty  to  your  Lordfhippe. 

Ham.  Yours  doo's  well  to  commend  it  liimfelfe,  there  are  no 
tongues  els  for's  turne. 

Hora.     This  Lapwing  runnes  away  with  the  fhell  on  his  head. 

Ham.  A  did  fir  with  his  dugge  before  a  fuckt  it,  thus  has  he  and 
many  more  of  the  fame  breede  that  I  know  the  droffy  age  dotes  on, 
only  got  the  tunc  of  the  time,  and  out  of  an  habit  of  incounter,  a 
kind  of  hifty  colec^ion,  which  carries  them  through  and  through  the 
moft  prophane  and  trcnnowed  opinions,  and  doe  but  blowe  them  to 
their  triall,  the  bubbles  arc  out. 

Enter  a  Lord. 
Lord.     My  I^rd,  his  Maieftie  commended  him  to  you  by  young 
ir. 


2i6  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  Ur-Hamlet 


1604  The  Tragicall  Historie  of  Hamlet  2iy 

Ostricke,  who  bring-s  back  to  him  that  you  attend  himi  in  the  hall, 
he  fends  to  know  if  your  pleafure  hold  to  play  with  Laertes,  or  that 
you  will  take  longer  time  ? 

Ham.  I  am  conftant  to  my  purpofes,  they  foUowe  the  King's  plea- 
fure if  his  fitnes  fpeakes,  mine  is  ready :  now  or  whenfoeuer,  pro- 
uided  I  be  fo  able  as  now. 

Lord.     The  King,  and  Queene,  and  ail  are  comming  downe. 

Ham.     In  happy  time. 

Lord.  The  Oueene  defires  you  to  vfe  fome  g^entle  entertainment 
Laertes,  before  }Ou  fall  to  play. 

Ham.     Shee  well  inftrudls  me. 

Hora.     You  will  loofe  my  Lord. 

Ham.  I  doe  not  thinke  fo,  fince  he  went  into  France,  I  haue  bene- 
in  continuall  pra6life,  I  fhall  winne  at  the  ods ;  thou  would'ft  not 
thinke  how  ill  all's  heere  about  my  hart,  but  it  is  no  matter. 

Hora.     Nay  good  my  Lord. 

Ham-.  It  is  but  foolery,  but  it  is  fuch  a  kinde  of  gamgiuing,  as 
would  perhapes  trouble  a  woman. 

Hora.  If  your  minde  diflike  any  thing,  obey  it.  I  will  forftal  their 
reapire  hether,  and  fay  you  are  not  fit. 

Ham.  Not  a  whit,  we  defie  augury,  there  is  fpeciall  prouidcnce  in 
the  fall  of  a  Sparrowe,  if  it  be,  tis  not  to  come,  if  it  be  not  to  come, 
it  will  be  now,  if  it  be  not  now,  yet  it  well  come,  the  readiness  is  all, 
fince  no  man  of  ought  he  leaues,  knowes  what  ift  to  leaue  betimes, 
let  be. 

A  table  prepard,  Trumpets,  Drums  and  officers  with  Cufhion, 
King,  Queene,  and  all  the  ftate,  Fviles,  daggers, 

and  Laertes. 

King.     Come  Hamlet,  come  and  take  this  hand  from  me. 

Hani.     Giue  me  your  pardon  fir,  I  haue  done  you  wrong. 
But  pardon 't  as  you  are  a  gentleman,  this  pre  fence  knowes. 
And  you  muft  needs  haue  heard,  how  I  am  punnifht 
With  a  fore  di  ft  ration,  what  I  liauf  done 
That  might  your  nature,  honor  and  exception 
Roughly  awake,  I  heare  proclamc  was  madncffe. 
Waft  Hamlet  wronged  Laertes f  neucr  Hamlet. 


2i8  The  Tragicall  Historie  of  Hamlet  Ur-Hamlet 


1604  The  Tragicall  Historie  of  Hamlet  219 

If  Hamlet  from  himfelf  be  fane  away, 

And  when  hee's  not  himfelfe,  dooes  wrong  Laertes, 

Then  Hamlet  dooes  it  not,  Hamlet  denies  it, 

Who  dooes  it  then?  his  madneffe.     Ift  be  fo, 

Hamlet  is  of  the  fadion  that  is  wronged. 

His  madneffe  is  poore  Hamlets  enemie, 

Let  my  difclaiming  from  a  purpos'd  euill, 

Free  me  fo  farre  in  your  most  generous  thoughts. 

That  I  haue  fhot  my  arrowe  ore  the  house. 

And  hurt  my  brother. 


Laer.     I  am  fatisfied  in  nature. 
Whofe  motiue  in  this  cafe  fhould  ftirre  me  moft 
To  my  reuenge,  but  in  my  tearmes  of  honor 
I  ftand  a  loofe,  and  will  no  reconcilement, 
Till  by  fome  elder  Maifters  of  knowne  honor 
I  haue  a  voyce  and  prefident  of  peace 
To  my  name  vTigord  :  but  all  that  time 
I  doe  receaue  your  offerd  loue,  like  loue, 
And  will  not  wrong  it. 

Ham.     T  embrace  it  freely,  and  will  this  brothers  wager 
franckly  l>lay. 
Giue  vs  the  foiles. 

Laer.     Come,  one  for  me. 

Ham.     He  l>e  your  folic  Laertes,  in  mine  ignorance 
Your  skill  fhall  lil<i-  a  ftarre  i'th  darkeft  night 
Stick  fiery  of  indeed. 


220  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  TJr-Hamlet 

Hamlet.     5111  i)caUi}  anb  Jja^^tncf'^  to  Ijour  ^UJajcfti)! 

King.  35Jc  tfjniif  l^oli,  ^>nncc!  3iV  nrc  flrcatii)  rcjotccb  t^at  i)0Ur 
mclancljolt)  l)n§  fuwclu^nt  bifn^j^cnrcb.  SSIjercforc  tot  ^auc  arrangcb 
a  frtcnblti  contcft  BctJuccn  i)olirfcIf  nub  tl)c  ijoDng  £couI)arbl)§  loitl) 
foiI§,  onb  t^c  one  Julio  mofc§  t^c  ftrft  tftrcc  fiitS  fljall  Ijoitc  loon  a  loljitc 
SJctt^JoIiton  l)orfc,  luitlj  §nbbIc=cIotf)§  onb  tra^)|jinr^§  to  mntcl). 

Hamlet.  '^I^arbon  mc,  ?)oDr  ^Jtajcftt),  ^  I)onc  Ijob  6ot  little  practice 
in  foil;  fieonljarbo^,  fiohiener,  IjoS  joft  come  from  prance,  fo  tf^at  l)e  i§ 
boDfitlcf^  in  goob  practice.  ^  pvaf^,  tt)cn,  tf^at  for  tt^is  reason  IjoU  mot) 
ejcljfc  me. 

King.  ^0  it,  prince  ^omlet,  to  grntifl)  D§;  for  »tjc  ore  cUrioDg  to 
§ec  hi^ot  fort  of  feints  tljerc  nrc  in  ©ermnnl)  nnb  l^ronce. 

Qveen.  Wt)  grncioUS  Corb  onb  Sing,  ^  ^nue  a  terrible  cnlomitl)  to 
itU  tfot)  of. 

King.    ;^eonen  forbib!    ©o  on! 

Qveen.  D^ljelio  l|tt§  gone  to  t^e  toUii  o  fo  ^ig^  ^iU,  onb  ffa§  tljroJun 
l^crfelf  boton,  onb  ilkh  ^erfclf. 

Leonhardvs.  Unfortnnote  £eon^orbu§!  lu^o  ^aft  loft  hjit^in  o  brief 
f^ace  hot\\  o  father  onb  n  fifter,  SS^nt  more  troubled  ore  to  come;  ^ 
om  hieorl)  enough  of  tooe  to  bie  mljfelf! 

King.  83e  comforteb,  £eon^orbU§.  SBe  ore  grcciob§  to  tjob.  Onll) 
Begin  t\)t  conteft.  ^^ontofmo,  bring  t^e  foil§.  ^orotio  f^oll  be 
bm^Jtre. 

Phantasmo.     ^ere  i§  t^e  hjorm  beer. 

Hamlet,  ^omt  one,  fieon^nrbbS;  onb  let  b§  to  fee  hj^ic^  of  b§  i§  to 
fit  tljc  otl)er  hjitl)  tlje  fooPs  co^.  Sljoblb  ^  blbnber,  l^xat)  cjcbfe  me, 
for  it  i§  long  fince  vv  Hauc  ^nnbleb  foils. 

Leonhardvs.    ^  om  l)obr  ferunntf  tjob  nre  onli)  jefting,  mt)  Sorb. 

[r/i^-  first  bovt  they  fight  fairly.    Leonhardvs  is  hit. 

Hamlet.     X^^ot'S  one,  fieon^arbbS. 

Leonhardvs.  Srbe,  ijobr  ^ig^nefs.  9Jom  for  mt)  reuenge  [He 
drops  his  foil,  and  takes  vp  the  poisoned  sword  which  lies  ready,  and 
giues  the  Prince  a  thrvst  in  carte  in  the  arm.  Hamlet  parries,  so  that 
they  both  drop  their  weapons;  each  stoops  to  pick  one  vp.  Hamlet  gets 
the  poisoned  one,  and  zvovnds  Leonhardvs  mortally.] 

Leonhardvs.  SSoe  iS  me!  :S  ^one  ^ob  o  mortol  t^rbft.  ^  ^uc 
Been  cobg^t  in  ml)  ohin  beuice.    ^eouen  ^oue  mercl)  on  me! 


1604  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  221 

Laer.     You  mock  me  fir. 

Ham.     No  by  this  hand. 

King.     Giue  them  the  foiles  young  Ostricke,  cofin  Hamlet, 
You  knovve  the  wager. 

Ham.     Ver\-  well  my  Lord. 
Your  grace  has  layed  the  ods  a'th  weeker  fide. 

Kim:.     I  doe  not  feare  it.  I  haue  feene  vou  both, 
But  fince  he  is  better,  we  haue  therefore  ods. 

Laer.     This  is  to  heauy :  let  me  fee  another. 

Ham.     This  likes  me  well,  thefe  foiles  haue  all  a  length. 

Ostr.     I  my  good  Lord. 

King.     Set  me  the  ftoopes  of  wine  vpon  that  table, 
If  Hamlet  giue  the  firft  or  fecond  hit. 
Or  quit  in  anfwer  of  the  third  exchange, 
Let  all  the  battlements  their  ordnance  fire. 
The  King  fhall  drink  to  Hamlets  better  breath, 
And  in  the  cup  an  Vnice  fhall  he  throwe. 
Richer  then  that  which  foure  fuccefsive  Kings 
In  Denmarkes  Crowne  haue  worne ;  giue  me  the  cups, 
And  let  the  kettle  to  the  trumpet  fpeake, 
The  trumpet  to  the  Cannoneere  without. 
The  Cannons  to  the  heauens,  the  heauen  to  earth. 


Now  the  King  drinkes  to  Hamlet,  come  beginne.  Trumpets 

And  you  the  ludges  beare  a  wary  eye.  the  while. 

Ham.     Come  on  fir. 

Laer.     Come  my  Lrjrd. 

Ham.     CJnc. 

La^r.     No. 

Ham.     ludgment. 

Ostrich.     A  hit,  a  very  palpable  hit.      Prum.  trumpets  and  flwt. 

Laer.     Well,  againc.  Plorifli.  a  peece  goes  off. 


222  The  Tra^icall  Historic  of  Hamlet  Ur-Hamlet 


'i 


Hamlet,  SSJfjnt  tf)c  ^citil  U  i\]U,  2couIjttrbli$?  |>nitc  '^  luoUnbcb 
iiou  luiHi  t[)c  foil?    ,<polu  can  tlji-^  Dc? 

A'/;;ir.  (*Ju  quicf,  iinb  flct  mil  roljnl  cU^  luitlj  fomc  luinc,  fo  tljat  tf)c 
fcnccrc«  jiml)  rcfrefli  tljciufchtC'"'  a  little,  ^o,  %\)a\\ia.\mo,  aub  fctcl)  it. 
[Descends  from  the  throne.  Aside.^  ^  Jju^JC  tf)nt  tl)ct)  \i9t\\  brinf  of 
tf)c  luiitc  aitb  6otl|  bie,  t()nt  no  one  luiU  fnolu  of  tijis  plot, 

Hamlet.     %d\  me,  ;^conf)orbU^t!  {)ulu  bib  nil  tl)i^  Ijaptjcn? 

Leonhardvs.  5na§,  ^4-^rincc,  ^  Ijaitc  Oecn  fcbUccb  into  tlji^  mif= 
fortune  bt)  tfic  iXing!  8ec  Juljnt  l)oD  Ijnnc  in  IjoUr  Ijanb!  ^t  i§  a 
|)oi£ioncb  i^iuorb. 

Hamlet.    £)  ^^eanen!  )Df)ttt  t§  t()i§?    <S an c  me  from  it.     - 

Leonhardvs.  ^vt  iott§  nrranjjcb  tijat  ^  inolinb  Ijol)  luitl)  it,  for  it  i§  fo 
Stront^Il)  poifoneb  tl)nt  tijc  mnn  3uI)o  tnfc§  from  it  cucn  a  §crntcf),  bic§. 

King.  S^Of  flentlcmcn!  tafc  tf)i^  brinf.  [While  the  King  is  rising 
from  his  chair  and  speaking  these  zvords,  the  Qveen  takes  the  evp  ovt  of 
Phantasmo's  hand,  and  drinks.  The  King  cries  ovt.]  ^o,  latere  i§  tfft 
c\)p?  9Ua§,  bcft  of  mine§,  loljct  art  tfjoD  boing?  ^t§  contents  ore 
beabllj  ^oifon?    ^Ua^,  ala^,  toljat  Ijaft  ifio\)  bone? 

Qveen.     Slla^,  3'  am  bijing!  [The  King  stands  before  her, 

Hamlet.     9lnb  tf)ol),  tljrant,  ff)nff  accom^ani)  Ijcr  in  bcatlj. 

[Stabs  him  from  behind. 

King.     IBoe  i§  me!    ^  am  reccining  mi)  6ab  rcluarb. 

Leonhardvs.  9lbiel),  (sic)  prince  ^amlet!  51bic0,  luorib!  ^  am 
bl|ing  alfo.    9lf),  ^^^rince  ^larbon  me! 

Hamlet.  Wtatf  .^canen  receine  tJjtj  §oDl;  for  tljoli  art  gliiltle^^.  33l)t 
a§  to  tfii§  trijant — let  fjim  loafl)  I)imfelf  of  Iji^  bloc  fins  in  ^tlL  21^! 
;^orotio,  nohj  i§  ml)  foni  ot  ^eoce.  ^  I)o«e  rcncngeb  ml)fe(f  on  ml) 
enemies.  %  too,  ftone  tofen  o  I)it  on  ml)  orm;  bnt  ^  f^ope  it  t§  not 
mtol.  :5  owt  fo^r^)  S  J)n«e  l)it  fieonfiorbus;  t^oDgf)  ^  fnoln  not  Ijoln  ^ 
got  tf)ot  occlirfeb  fluorb  into  ml)  l)onb.  Sut  oS  tf)e  luorf  fo  tJje  luoge§. 
^e  1)0^  receineb  !)i5  rcJuorb.  9JotJ)ing  offlict^  me  more  tfton  ml)  Sobl) 
mott)er.  Stilt,  2it)e,  too,  be^erneb  tl)i^  beotf)  for  f)cr  fins.  83l)t  in^o 
gone  f)er  tf)e  cli^j  t^ot  f)a^  ^joifoneb  f)cr?    ^dl  me  tftot? 

Phantasmo.  %  "i^Jrince.  ^  olfo  broDglit  tt)e  ^loifoneb  flnorb;  but 
t^e  ^joifoneb  luine  luo§  to  be  brUnf  6l)  l)ODrfeff  onll). 

Hamlet.  ^a§t  t!)ol)  olfo  been  on  instrument  in  oil  tf)i§  miferl)? 
S^cn  tofc  l)ol)r  reloorb  olfo!  [Stabs  him  mortally. 

Phantasmo.     <Btah  nluol):  onb  mol)  tlje  blobe  grolu  lome! 


1604  The  Tragical!  Historie  of  Hamlet  223 

King.     Stay,  giue  me  drinke,  Hamlet  this  pearle  is  thine. 
Heeres  to  thy  health  :  giue  him  the  cup. 

Ham,.     He  play  this  bout  firft,  fet  it  by  a  while 
Come,  another  hit.  What  fay  you  ? 

Laer.     I  doe  confeft. 
King.     Our  fonne  fhall  winne. 
Quee.     Hee's  fat  and  fcant  of  breath. 
Heere  Hamlet  take  my  napkin  rub  thy  browes, 
The  Queene  carowfes  to  thy  fortune  Hamlet. 
Ham.     Good  Madam. 
King.     Gertrard  doe  not  drinke. 
Quee.     I  will  my  Lord,  I  pray  you  pardon  me. 
King.     It  is  the  poyfned  cup,  it  is  too  late. 
Ham.     I  dare  not  drinke  yet  Madam,  by  and  by. 
Quee.     Come,  let  me  wipe  thy  face. 
Laer.     My  Lord,  He  hit  him  now. 
Kins.     I  doe  not  think 't. 

Laer.     And  yet  it  is  almost  againft  my  confcicnce. 
Ham.     Come  for  the  third  Laertes,  you  do  but  dally. 
I  pray  you  paf fe  with  your  beft  violence 
I  am  fure  you  make  a  wanton  of  me. 
Laer.     Say  you  fo,  come  on. 
Ostr.     Nothing  neither  way. 
Laer.     Have  at  you  now. 
King.     Part  them,  they  are  incenft. 
Ham.     Nay  come  againe. 
Ostr.     Look  to  the  Queene  there  howe. 
Hora.     They  bleed  on  both   fides,  how  is  it  my  Lord? 
Ostr.     How  ift  Laertes? 

Laer.     Why  as  a  woodcock  to  mine  owne  fprindge  Ostrick. 
I  am  iuftly  kild  with  mine  owne  treachery. 
Ham.     How  dooes  the  Queene  ? 
King.     Shee  founds  to  fee  them  bleed. 
Quee.     No,  no,  the  drinke,  the  drinke.  o  my  dcare  Hamlet. 
The  drinke  the  drinke.  I  am  poyfned. 

Ham.     O  villanie,  how  let  the  doore  be  lock't. 
Treachery,  feeke  it  out. 

Laer.     It  is  heere  Hamlet,  thou  art  flaine, 


224  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  TJr-Hamlet 


1604  The  TragicaU  Historic  of  Hamlet  225 

No  medcin  in  the  world  can  doe  thee  good, 
In  thee  there  is  not  halfe  an  houres  Ufe, 
The  treacherous  inftrument  is  in  my  hand 
Vnbated  and  enuenom'd,  the  foule  pradife 
Hath  tum'd  it  felfe  on  me.  loe  heere  I  He 
Neuer  to  rife  againe,  thy  mother's  poyfned, 
I  can  no  more,  the  King,  the  Kings  too  blame. 

Ham.     The  point  inuenom'd  to,  then  venome  to  thy  worke. 

All.     Treafon,  treafon. 

King.     O  yet  defend  me  friends,  I  am  but  hurt. 

Ham.     Heare  thou  inceftious  damned  Dane, 
Drinke  of  this  potion,  is  the  Onixe  heere  ? 
follow  my  mother 

Laer.     He  is  iuftly  ferued.  it  is  a  poyfon  tempered  by  himfelfe. 
Exchange  forgiueneffe  with  me  noble  Hamlet. 
Mine  and  my  fathers  death  come  not  vppon  thee, 
Nor  thine  on  me. 

Ham.     Heauen  make  thee  free  of  it,  I  follow  thee ; 
I  am  dead  Horatio,  wretched  Queene  adiew. 
You  that  looke  pale,  and  tremble  at  this  chance. 
That  are  but  mutes,  or  audience  to  this  a6l. 
Had  I  but  time,  as  this  fell  fergeant  Death. 
Is  strid  in  his  arreft  O  I  could  tell  you. 
But  let  it  be ;  Horatio  I  am  dead. 
Thou  liueft,  report  me  and  my  caufe  a  right 
To  the  vnfatisficd. 

Hora.     Neuer  belieue  it ; 
I  am  more  an  anticke  Romaine  then  a  Dane, 
Heere's  yet  fome  liquor  left. 

Ham.     As  th'art  a  man 
Giue  mc  tlic  cup.  let  goe.  by  heaven  He  hate, 
O  god  Horatio,  what  a  wounded  name 
Things  ftanding  thus  vnknown,  fhall  I  leave  behind  me? 
If  thou  did'ft  euer  hold  me  in  thy  hart, 
Abfent  thee  from  felicity  a  while. 

And  in  this  harfh  world  drawc  they  breath  in  paine       A  marcha 
To  tell  my  ftory :  what  warlike  notife  is  this?  farre  off. 


226  The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet  Ur-Hamlet 

Hamlet.  '^Ua§,  .^oratio,  ^  fear  tfjat  tni)  reucnflc  iutH  coft  tnc  tni) 
life;  for  ^  am  boblt)  luoUnbeb  in  tljc  arm.  ^  nm  netting  faint;  mi)  (intftS 
Become  mcaf,  m\)  leg^  mill  not  bear  me;  m\)  noice  fail§;  ^  feci  t^e 
poifon  in  oil  ml)  \mh^.  ^  pxa\)  DoD,  bear  .^oratio,  to  carrl)  mi)  crolon 
to  UJormal),  to  ml)  cousin,  tl)e  IMite  JVortcmOrosf,  fo  tf^at  tt)c  Kngbont 
mal)  not  fall  into  ot!)er  I)anbs.    ''iUai^l  3  ^w  bl)ing. 

Horatio.  9Ua§,  most  no6Ic  '4>rince,  tl)oD  mal)  [till  {oof  for  oib!  £) 
^couen,  ^c  is  bDing  in  ml)  orms!  3Sl)at  l)os  tf)is  fingbom,  for  a  length 
of  time,  not  Unbcrgone  from  fiarb  luarS?  Scarcell)  is  t^erc  ^eace,  hut 
internal  biftUrBonce,  ambition,  faction,  anb  mlirbcr  fill  tf)e  lanb.  9lo 
age  of  tl)e  Inorlb  ener  Salu  fuel)  terrific  trogebieS  enacteb  aS  at  tijis 
6oUrt.  ^  toill,  mitl)  tl)e  ^cI^j  of  t()e  faitl)ful  councillors,  mafe  ail 
^jre^arationS  tf^at  t^efe  t^ree  f)igf)  ^erfonages  fl)an  6e  interreb  accorbing 
to  tl)eir  ron!.  ^^en  mill  ^  at  once  mate  for  9lormal)  miti)  tlje  crolun, 
onb  beliuer  it  as  t^is  UnfortUnote  ^^^rincc  l)aS  commanbeb*  So  iS  it 
t^at  lut)en  a  prince  forces  Ijimfelf  to  tl)e  crolon  luitl)  cUnning,  anb  6l) 
treacl)erl)  o6tainS  t^e  Same,  ^e  ^imSelf  ejpcriences  nothing  6nt  mere 
mocferl)  anb  fcorn.    f^or  eUen  as  tlje  (aOoUr  fo  is  tl)e  relnarb* 

91  ^ing  In^o  feigeS  t^e  crolun  6d  treac^erl) 

S^all  in  t^c  cnb  ^aUe  nothing  for  Ijimfeff  6nt  fcorn  anb  mocferl)! 


1604  The  Tragicall  Historie  of  Hamlet  227 

Enter  Ofrick. 

Ofr.     Young  Fortenhraffe  with  conqueft  come  from  Poland, 
To  th'embaffadores  of  England,  giues  this  warlike  volly 

Ham.     O  I   die  Horatio, 
The  potent  poyfon  quite  ore-crowes  my  spirit, 
I  cannot  liue  to  heare  the  newes  from  England. 
But  I  doe  prophecie  th'elleclion  lights 
On  Fortinhraffe,  he  has  my  dying  voyce. 
So  tell  him,  with  th'  occurrants  more  and  leffe 
Which  haue  folicited,  the  reft  is  filence. 

Hora.     Now  cracks  a  noble  hart,  good  night  fweete  Prince, 
And  flights  of  Ajigels  fing  thee  to  thy  reft. 
Why  dooes  the  drum  come  hether? 

Enter  Fortenhraffe,  with  the  Embaffadors. 

For.     Where  is  this  fight? 

Hora.     What  is  it  you  would  fee? 
If  ought  of  woe,  or  wonder,  ceafe  your  fearch. 

For.     This  quarry  cries  on  hauock,  o  prou'd  death 
What  feaft  is  toward  in  thine  etemall  cell, 
That  thou  fo  many  Princes  at  a  fhot 
So  bloudily  haft  ftrook  ? 

Embaf.     Tht  fight  is  difmall 
And  our  affaires  from  England  come  too  late, 
The  ears  are  fenceleffe  that  fhould  giue  vs  hearing, 
To  tell  him  his  commandment  is  fulfild. 
That  Rofencrans  and  Gtiyldenfterne  are  dead, 
Where  fhould  we  haue  our  thankes  ? 

Hora.     Not  from  his  mouth 
Had  it  th'ability  of  life  to  thanke  you  : 
He  neuer  gaue  commandment  for  their  death  ; 
But  fince  fo  iump  vjxmi  this  bloody  question 
You  from  the  Pollack  warrcs,  and  you  from  England, 
Arc  hcere  arriucd.  giue  order  that  thefc  bodies 
High  on  a  ftage  Ix'  placed  to  the  view, 
And  let  me  fpcake,  to  yet  vnknowing  world 
How  thefe  things  came  about ;  fo  fhall  you  iicare 


228 


The  Tragicall  Historic  of  Hamlet 


TJr-Hamlet 


FINIS. 


1604  The  Tragical!  Historie  of  Hamlet  22ig 

Of  carnall.  bloody  and  vnnaturall  ads. 
Of  accidentall  judgments,  carefull  floghters, 
Of  deaths  put  on  by  cunning-,  and  for  no  caufe 
And  in  this  vpfhot.  purpofes,  niistooke, 
Falne  on  th'inuenters  heads :  all  this  can  I 
Truly  deliuer. 

For.     Let  vs  haft  to  heare  it. 
And  call  the  nobleft  to  the  audience, 
For  me.  with  forrowe  I  embrace  my  fortune, 
I   haue    fome   rights,  of  memory   in   this   kingdome, 
Which  now  to  clame  my  vonage  doth  inuite  me. 

Hora.     Of  that  I  fhall  haue  alfo  caufe  to  fi>eake, 
And  from  his  mouth,  whofe  voyce   will  drawe  no  more, 
But  let  this  fame  be  prefently  perform'd 
Euen  while  mens  mindes  are  wilde,  leaft  n:K>re  mifchance 
On  plots  and  errors  happen. 

For.     Let  foure  Captaines 
Bear  Hamlet  like  a  fouldier  to  the  ftage, 
For  he  was  likely,  had  he  beene  put  on 
To  haue  prooued  moft  royall ;  and  for  his  paffage, 
The  fouldiers  muficke  and  the  right  of  warre 
Speake  loudly  for  him  : 
Take  vp  the  bodies,  fuch  a  fight  as  this, 
Becomes  the  field,  but  heere  fhowes  much  amiffe. 
Goe  bid  the  fouldiers  fhoote.  Exetmt. 

FINIS. 


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